Chevrolaine's 72 Chevrolet - Page 40

Chevrolaine · 08-19-2012, 02:01:16 PM

All safe back in the garage!
I noticed right away when we left Woodstock last night that the turn signals weren't working and the lights were dimmer than usual. Being only the second time I've driven it at night and the longest trip I wasn't sure what to think at first.

20 miles out of town I noticed the volt gauge plummeting and lights getting even dimmer, 5 miles later it was at 2 and basically no lights...anywhere! 2 lane country road middle of nowhere.lol

Luckily my son drove the 92 to the show also and my Brother in-law and brother also were with us cruisin in caravan. I basically got between 2 of em and drove the remaining 7-10 miles with the lights off and the car starting to cut out safely to my sisters house in Caledonia.

As for the cause were not quite sure. Seemed fine last Saturday night on the drive home and all I did since then was put in the Ford solenoid to prevent the starter heat soak. Scott, Chris....you only have the 3 wires to the solenoid correct??

We also noticed the fan belt was flopping quite a bit so it may be as simple as that. Gauge is only reading 11 volts at 60 mph and 10 1/2 with the lights on. Then again it's only a cheap SunPro gauge until I get the new ones for the dash so I'm not sure how accurate it is.

Seemed fine on the 30 mile drive home this morning with lights on half the way. No voltage drop.

Ideas, suggestions???

Orange71 · 08-19-2012, 02:37:33 PM

First guess - alternator not charging the battery.

The car gods were watching over you!

protour73 · 08-19-2012, 04:30:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange71

First guess - alternator not charging the battery.

The car gods were watching over you!

BINGO George!!

Laine, I just went through this. Only mine was sitting dead

With the car at idle, put your meter on the 2 battery terminals. Should be 14 volts. With the car off it should be at 12.5 volts anything less and the alternator is toast. Get a Powermaster 3 wire 100 amp, it's a beast. Puts out 80 amps at idle and it's made right here in good ole Illinois.

The car god's were indeed watching over you!!

oh yea and it's is 2 wires to the solenoid, your starter's "S" terminal and the starter's battery terminal

Chevrolaine · 08-19-2012, 04:39:32 PM

Thanks guys, I'll give that a test Scott.

Scott, you have a part # for that alternator? Did you get one for the external regulator or internal?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-17102/

protour73 · 08-19-2012, 05:05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevrolaine

Thanks guys, I'll give that a test Scott.

Scott, you have a part # for that alternator? Did you get one for the external regulator or internal?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-17102/

Internal Regulator http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PWM-7294/

harbone66 · 08-19-2012, 05:12:24 PM

Do you still have an external regulator?

Chevrolaine · 08-19-2012, 06:23:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harbone66

Do you still have an external regulator?

Ya, how do I get rid of it? Clueless here!

protour73 · 08-19-2012, 07:13:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevrolaine

Ya, how do I get rid of it? Clueless here!

Usually a Dr. can give you a shot!! LOL

or this http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1892186

harbone66 · 08-19-2012, 07:44:45 PM

How many wires were on your starter when you installed the remote solenoid? On your battery is there 1 or 2 (1 big & 1 small) wires conecting the positive post. I wonder if you left a lead on the starter that needs to go to the hot battery terminal on the remote solenoid so the alternator output can get back to the battery?

Chevrolaine · 08-19-2012, 11:17:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harbone66

How many wires were on your starter when you installed the remote solenoid? On your battery is there 1 or 2 (1 big & 1 small) wires conecting the positive post. I wonder if you left a lead on the starter that needs to go to the hot battery terminal on the remote solenoid so the alternator output can get back to the battery?

3 on the starter. Battery, purple and a small black one going to the big positive post also. No idea what it is but we hooked it up anyways as it had the large terminal end on it.
However we tested it today and it has no power with the key on or off so we pulled it off the solenoid and it seemed fine on the way home.

Positive battery post has a big and small red ones.

tskills10 · 08-20-2012, 02:51:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevrolaine

Ya, how do I get rid of it? Clueless here!

I used a newer GM alt, CS 130 series generator assembly, part number 19152464, ACDelco part number 321-464. It is a 105 amp. I then used ALTERNATOR CONVERSION ADAPTOR Part Number: # CA37787, from classic industries. This alt is set up for a serpentine system. This works great in my camaro.

protour73 · 08-20-2012, 06:05:35 PM

Well? what's the status Laine?

Chevrolaine · 08-20-2012, 06:12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by protour73

Well? what's the status Laine?

I honestly think it was the loose belt. Voltage checks out fine. Drove it about 20 miles today with the lights on and it drpped a bit, then came right back up when I shut em off.

Amboy this weekend will be a good test.

Thanks for inquiring.