Re: IML: Frustrating Electrical Problem

["Dave Grove" <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The amp gauge in your 76 is different from the earlier models.  Instead of
having full current flow through it, - it only measures voltage drop.  So,
the car will still start if the amp gauge is faulty.
I believe the ignition switch could be your problem.  At any rate, - it can
kill the blower, and still start the car.
As for the amp gauge not reading anything, - that tends to be somewhat the
nature of the beast due to it's design, - some seem to show more activity
than others.
The ignition switch can also kill voltage to the regulator (which will keep
the alternator from charging of course).  Check voltage, - key ON, - at the
blue wire of the regulator plug.  You should see battery voltage here.  You
should also see a ground at the green wire of the regulator plug.  AND the
voltage regulator case must have a good ground to the body.

To do a quick charging test, - with the engine running, - unplug the
regulator plug.  Now, - ground the corner (green) wire to a good ground.
The engine should slow down, and you should hear the alternator start to
work (whine a little).  Don't hold that for long, - you may have 16V or more
going on.  If nothing happens, - then check the blue wire for battery
voltage.  If OK, - then check the green wire between the reg plug and the
alternator (that green wire runs directly to the alternator and the reg
plug, and nowhere else).  Check the blue wire (plugged into a brush) at the
alternator, - it should have batt voltage with the key ON.  Check the green
wire brush at the alternator (after you unplug it, - it should show batt
voltage too, and if it does not, - then either the brush(es) are bad in the
alternator, - or the alternator rotor is bad).  If all the wiring and
connectors check out, then the alternator (like diodes, stator etc) is bad.

Regards,
DaveG.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jvguilbault@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2004 8:44 AM
Subject: IML: Frustrating Electrical Problem


> Hey, guys.
>
> My '76 NYB has a strange problem.  The battery isn't charging and the
blower motor for the heating system isn't working.  The amp gauge doesn't
seem to be reading anything, either.  I've replaced the alternator, voltage
regulator and the battery.  I suspect the amp gauge, but if that went bad,
would the car still start?  Mine does, and everything else appears to be
working fine.  I've unwrapped the wires under the hood to check for cracks,
but everything appears okay.  The car has been garaged its entire life and
the wiring under the dashboard looks great.
>
> Now, there is one other thing to know.  When I bought the car the
alternator was overcharging the battery.  I thought I could get it home, but
the battery cooked and I had to replace it.  To keep this from happening
again, the mechanic at the battery shop suggested I disconnect the negative
battery wire and drive home like that.  Well, you all probably know what
happened.  After everything under the hood blew up, I had the car towed to a
respectable mechanic, who replaced the alternator, voltage regulator,
ignition module, and various light bulbs.  It seemed to work fine, but then
this problem with the blower motor and charging started happening.  It was
intermittant at first, but now it's constant.  The two problems always
happen together.  If the blower motor cuts out, the battery stops charging.
I've taken out both the alternator and the voltage regulator and had them
checked.  They check out fine.  Any ideas?
>
> John
>
>
>
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