My '76 P/U gets neglected more than any of my vehicles and it works the hardest. Yesterday after starting the truck I noticed that all the lights were dimmer and the ammeter was pegged towards "D" This tells me that I'm not charging, so I limped to the job I was dropping off and after re-starting everything went back to semi-normal (ie: just above center on ammeter) Now I'm noticing that when it's idling low, like at a light that the lights will really dim and the ammeter again dips. Just not as bad as before. Before I dig in deep, does this sound like a faulty voltage regulator? Or are there other simple tests I can do to narrow down my problem. Keep in mind, I'm working outside and it's 18* F. out.

Thanks team, Pat.

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I'm thinking you might have an alternator issue, maybe a bad diode or a worn/sticking bush, something like that. Advance Auto /Autozone have equipment that will test that sort of thing on the vehicle. The question is, do the employees working there know how to use and interpret the info from the test? Brushes are pretty easy to replace, the brush holders are where the small diameter wires hook to the back of the alternator. Sometimes the brushes get stuck in the holders, and a good cleaning can help, but replacement brushes are probably about 3 bucks, if you can find them.

Why are there two iterations of this thread...?

(other one is here )

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

That is bizarre, this was my first post that I submitted and it Immediately disappeared into the ether until now. The other one that has been answered in full and originally posted on Dec. 2nd was my second draft. Somehow that first one was MIA for 5 days. I've also been noticing a lot more double posts lately as well. Is there a ghost in the machine?

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Yeah, the board's been having problems lately. Slow response, double-posts, PHP errors...has anyone alerted Chuck yet?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

It's all you Dan, I barely speak computer as it is.

By the way, I traced my charging issues back to a poor engine to body ground. I bought a new regulator anyways and my alternator checked out. If anything it was overcharging a bit. So I cleaned my current body ground and added a new one right at the regulator for piece of mind. Everything seems good as gold so far.

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I optimized the board again. Please send me a PM if the problems still occur.

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Chuck Rivers, Webmaster