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Veteran
Posts: 157
 
Location: Central New York | Trying to figure out and eliminate the "pulse" when the lights are on. I've checked the wiring, fixed a few grounds that I thought were the problem, and replaced the VR. Still does it. Under throttle it's ok, but when I stop for a traffic light it's terrible. I'm sure somebody, or everybody has had this problem. hoping for a cure. Also, the dash bulbs for the fuel and amp gauges are out. What is the best way to get at them? Come up from behind the dash or can I get to them from the front somehow ? Thanks, Phil |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13045
  
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Generator or alternator?
Make sure that the ground of generator/alternator is excellent.
Make sure that the battery connections are clean and have a good contact.
State of the battery?
Solid state headlights or H4? |
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Expert
Posts: 2996
Location: Sept. 1958 | I’m assuming you have an alternator being you own 61s. What kind of voltage regulator did you install? I had this problem when I first got my 61 3 years ago. I replaced the voltage regulator with one of those transistorized regulators, they have the small footprint and size as the OE ones. |
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Veteran
Posts: 157
Location: Central New York | Wizard - Battery is new and contacts are excellent
The headlights are NAPA Halogens
Should I run a separate ground wire from the alt. case to the body ?
Christine-lover - yes, I have an alternator. I'm using a stock points type V.R. because I have a points type ignition system.
I didn't know you could use an electronic one with points ignition. |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13045
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | It' might be a good idea with an extra separate ground wire - oil, grease and rust might get a bad earth.
Also, make sure that the voltage regulator has good ground as well.
Check the output voltage from the alternator - should be 14 - 14,5 volts
Is it an original 30 amp alternator?
By pulsating , do you mean on/off, or fading/stronger?
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Expert
Posts: 2996
Location: Sept. 1958 | I still run points in the distributor. Shouldn’t have any effect. Did you swap the regulator from your other 61 if it’s a known good part? Pulsating lights at idle is exactly what I had, go from bright to dim and back, only drove once with it like that then replaced the regulator. I didn’t check the charging voltage as my meter is at work. Your grounds should be good, make sure you have an engine ground wire to firewall, you could use a jumper wire with alligator clips for a ground just to rule it out.
Edited by christine-lover 2020-12-15 6:09 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 157
Location: Central New York | wizard - the alt output is a little shy, about 13.7 and I don't know what alt is on it. I appears to be an original type.
and yes, it's a dim/bright situation.
christine-lover - Both the regs are the the same and both suffer the same affliction. If I fix 1, I fix 2. |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13045
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | With an old type voltage regulator it's easy to adjusting the output voltage. First of all if not already done, check the helt condition and tension.
For to check the alternator, take a jumper wire with a 10 amp fuse monted. Remove the field wire from the alternator and force feed the field with 12 volt directly from the battery with the jumper wire. Do this only shortly as the alternator will give max output. Check the voltage during this test. |
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Pulsating headlights
