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wiring gremlins keeping alternator from charging
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Author:  stephaniebrite77 [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  wiring gremlins keeping alternator from charging
It is a cold, rainy night, and THOR and I just went out and ripped into the '77 Volare wiring harness.
The problem: The alternator is not charging the battery.
The battery is putting out about 12V, we've got 12V going to the regulator on the blue wire and continuing as the blue field wire to the alternator. The green wire from regulator to alternator is only carrying about .6V; the regulator is giving out only .6V to the green. Ground on regulator is good, regulator itself is good (we took it out and tested it in LowerClassYouth's '73 Duster, worked like a charm). The output wire on the alternator is putting out source voltage (about 12V).
Help?




THOR says he didn't know that Plymouth Volare was another word for AMC "Gremlin" :lol:
Author:  Eric W [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:31 am ]
Post subject: 
I would pull the alternator and have it tested.
Author:  Charrlie_S [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:13 am ]
Post subject: 
Disconnect the blue and green wires from the alternator. Run a small jumper wire from the battery connector on the alternator to either of the spade connectors on the alternator. Then ground the other spade connector on the alternator, while the engine is running at a slightly fast idle. If the voltage does not increase to about 13+ volts, you have a bad alternator.
Author:  stephaniebrite77 [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:36 am ]
Post subject: 
The alternator is brand new as well, but I can check it just in case when I get a chance.. I could have sworn we already tested it, but my short-term memory is shot.
Author:  steponmebbbboom [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
be sure the terminals of the regulator connector have not spread open.
unplug the harness connector with key off. with key on and engine off, both blue and green wires must read battery voltage at the connector.
Author:  steponmebbbboom [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
for clarification, the .6V is coming from your alternator field winding and the green wire is the control wire that turns the field winding on and off by grounding it several times per second with a large transistor inside the regulator, to vary the charging voltage. your alternator field winding is probably open. double check the terminal connection at the field terminal of your alternator please.
Author:  stephaniebrite77 [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys..
Turns out it was the alternator, the field wires were grounding to the case - either the insulators are shot or just don't exist. :shock:
Thanks to Ceej and THOR who helped me out a bunch.. and Ceej walked THOR through a bunch of tests that got to that conclusion while I was at work today. :bow:
So, now to tear apart the alternator and replace the insulators since the recepit for it has gone missing.. :oops:
Author:  Mike'68Dart [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Where did you get it from?? They might be able to pull up your purchase info on their computer system and warranty it out for you. Chains are pretty well linked now days.
Author:  stephaniebrite77 [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
It was a Napa about 200 miles or so south of here - I had to replace alternator and regulator on the way to race at Redding. :roll: I've never had much luck with people at Napa's. I thought about giving them a call and checking whether I could have the information sent, but I haven't had a chance to look into it yet.
Author:  THOR [ Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
I full fielded the alternator... no dice.

Somethings wrong with the alty on the inside.

Question

Is it possible to throw a 1 field wire alternator in the car temporarily while we figure out what the hell is wrong with the one she's got? There is part swapping I need to do to on the Duster and the Dart 270, and I can't since she has to drive the Duster while her car is down.


Thanks!

~THOR~
Author:  Joshie225 [ Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
You should be able to isolate the other brush from the case and turn it into an isolated field alternator if you have a parts alternator around.
Author:  THOR [ Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:24 am ]
Post subject: 
Wouldn't it be easier to just swap in an isolated field alternator? Since Steph is supposedly "parting out" the Dart, the alternator can come out and go into the Volare if there is a way I can make it work, and then when I get the new one repaired I can throw that back in.

~THOR~
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