Battery charging problem.

[Isaiah92260]

So the battery I have in my 63 is a year old according the the previous owner. The Alternator looks pretty old, I don't know know how old but I can tell it has some age... Anyways, my battery keeps doing at least once a week after I give a charge over night. The charging light on my dash stays on the whole time I'm driving, it's on pretty dim, but bright enough to see during the day. So I'm thinking that's saying that the alternator isn't gettinf 100% charge. So does anyone think Its just time for a new alternator or I'm or have a poor ground or connection somewhere? I can provide poi tires of whatever anyone may ask to help.

[Mackie]

No poi tires necessary and pictures won't tell much either.
You need your charging system troubleshot.
You can start with cleaning all the battery and alternator and regulator (if it has one) electrical connection. These are zero cost solutions and often all that's needed.

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by Mackie

No poi tires necessary and pictures won't tell much either.
You need your charging system troubleshot.
You can start with cleaning all the battery and alternator and regulator (if it has one) electrical connection. These are zero cost solutions and often all that's needed.

How do I clean a Alternator? It had a voltage regulator but I see old wires cut and some spliced so I'm not sure if the voltage regulator is still in use.

[Mackie]

Oh man
I think you need on-the-scene help.

[vince1]

If the splicing looks like in this link then maybe someone has previously modified it.

http://www.chevelles.com/techref/ftecref14.html

I'm still using the original because it works and original is cool. But if it fails my spare CS130 will take its/their place.

[forestb]

Take the alternator to your local auto parts store they can usually check it on there machine for free. I know the Auto Zone near my house does.

[Pappyx3!]

Post a picture of the back of that alternator, so we can see what alternator your working with. Also picture of any changes at the regulator. Try to help you out...

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by Pappyx3!

Post a picture of the back of that alternator, so we can see what alternator your working with. Also picture of any changes at the regulator. Try to help you out...

Here are pics of te alternator and these two components that I'm not sure about, voltage regulator? BTW, all the super Micky Mouse Sloppy wiring was done years ago by a older Mexican gentleman who owned the truck before the person I bought it from.

[Isaiah92260]

Back of alternator

[Isaiah92260]

Voltage regulator and im not sure what the smaller part is

[Isaiah92260]

The grey wire comes fr the voltage regulator

[franken]

Step 1 is measuring the battery voltage, as in across the battery with a DVM when the engine is not running and when it is.
The alt light being on isn't a great sign but it could be bad connections. Cleaning means checking and cleaning the electrical connections between the battery and alternator.

[vince1]

http://alternatorparts.com/gm-extern...g-diagram.html

The horn relay being the junction block. Alternator output probably goes to it, then across to the battery.

Looks like someone spliced in another load for something, hence the fuse holder. Probably not a big deal.

Got your readings yet?

[vince1]

Sorry, looks like your regulator and relay are on the right. On my 66 they are on the left side so please ignore my comments. Don't want to confuse you.

[Pappyx3!]

Hey guys,

Sorry I have not had a chance to look at this til just now.

Were you able to get any bolt readings?

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by Pappyx3!

Hey guys,

Sorry I have not had a chance to look at this til just now.

Were you able to get any bolt readings?

Not yet, this week is pay the bills week lol so I'll have to go pick up a bolt reader next week.

[Pappyx3!]

Really need to see volt readings from a digital meter, but let's try to see if we are getting a signal to the regulator. Do you have a test light? If not we can probably use the analog meter you were using for initial testing.

Go to the regulator, the tab where the wires plug in to the regulator is marked F 2 3 4

Ck for voltage on the wire that lines up with the #3. Do you have Voltage Yes/No?

If Not, stop here.

If yes. start the engine, carefully ck for voltage on the wire that lines up with the F on the regulator. Do you have Voltage Yes/No

If not Sto here.

If there is voltage on the terminal F at the regualtor, leave the engine running, go to the back of the alternator, there is a 2 prong connector that plugs into the back of the alt. above that plug there are letters R And F cast into the alt housing. Locate the Terminal marked F. Is there voltage there?

Let us know what you find

If anyone following this has a wiring diagram they could PM me it would be appreciated!


Thanks!
Pappyx4!

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by Pappyx3!

Really need to see volt readings from a digital meter, but let's try to see if we are getting a signal to the regulator. Do you have a test light? If not we can probably use the analog meter you were using for initial testing.

Go to the regulator, the tab where the wires plug in to the regulator is marked F 2 3 4

Ck for voltage on the wire that lines up with the #3. Do you have Voltage Yes/No?

If Not, stop here.

If yes. start the engine, carefully ck for voltage on the wire that lines up with the F on the regulator. Do you have Voltage Yes/No

If not Sto here.

If there is voltage on the terminal F at the regualtor, leave the engine running, go to the back of the alternator, there is a 2 prong connector that plugs into the back of the alt. above that plug there are letters R And F cast into the alt housing. Locate the Terminal marked F. Is there voltage there?

Let us know what you find

If anyone following this has a wiring diagram they could PM me it would be appreciated!


Thanks!
Pappyx4!

I apologize I havnt got to check the procedures. I've been working over time, but I plan on checking the charging system tgis coming Saturday. I'm gonna use a test light cuz I don't have extra $$$ to buy one.. Thanks for your advice, I'll keep you guys posted this coming Saturday

[Pappyx3!]

Remember a test light is only going to tell you if voltage is present or not. It won't tell you if you have sufficient voltage. Just a thought if you don't have a buddy to borrow a digital meter from, most of the retail parts places will let you borrow tools with a refundable deposit.

Keep us informed!

Pappyx4!

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by Pappyx3!

Remember a test light is only going to tell you if voltage is present or not. It won't tell you if you have sufficient voltage. Just a thought if you don't have a buddy to borrow a digital meter from, most of the retail parts places will let you borrow tools with a refundable deposit.

Keep us informed!

Pappyx4!

That's right! I keep forgetting about that, maybe auto zone would loan one out...

[Pappyx3!]

I was going to do a post to explain how these externally regulated systems work, but I have been bogged down lately. So this might help, go to the Delco Remy website, www.delcoremy.com, look up part number 20169, scroll to the bottom of the page there are 2 technical bulletins, the second has a basic diagram that will be helpful. Especially in further discussion. WARNING they give instructions on how to full field the alternator. Do not try this, unless you understand what you are doing. It can damage the alternator and or the regulator.
Pappyx4!

[Isaiah92260]

Hello everyone. I apologize for the long wait, life sometimes throws me unexpected plans and work as well, I ended up pulling off the ground wire and also did the power wire as well after, and both times the motor shut off. So I know for sure its the alternator and regulator. I know it's best to know 100% what the problem is, but I think it's best in general to just convert the whole system to a modern internally regulated alternator. I only drive the truck to work, so I'll just maintain the life of the battery until I take it to a shop the install a modern alternator for me, I don't know how to re wire the truck, and I don't want to risk any damages in the process when I want to do it myself. Thanks everyone for your replys on here

[lil hoodlum]

Any new updates?

[Isaiah92260]

Originally Posted by lil hoodlum

Any new updates?

A little, thank you for asking. Money is tight and havnt been able to invest in a boot meter, one day I disconnect the ground wire while the truck was running and it shut off, I even tried again with the Power wire just to be sure if I was t supposed to disconnect the ground. Either way, the truck shut off both times. Considering that I want to continue Driving this truck as a daily driver, I think it's best that I save up and buy a 12si Alternator. I even found a 100amp 10si 3-wire AlternTor that I am thinking about buying for $65, I found how to's on wiring the truck to not use the voltage regulator, but I found 2 different ways to do it online so I'm trying to figure out the proper way for a 3-wire alternator. Iim gonna buy a new born relay as well. It's just a littler nerve racking because I have wires that were Micky mouse and I don't know what they are all for because the guy that owned it before me, totally neglected the truck and didn't do anything right.

[Mackie]

Disconnecting the battery cable while running is the wrong way to test the alternator and may cause damage. Please get a volt, ohm meter. They're only 8 bucks for an entry level one. Test positive/negative at the battery at idle and when you rev it to 2K or so, watching for voltage increase.

10si 3 wire's are a simple hook up.

8ga. wire from bat. + to big terminal, a short jumper from terminal # 2 to the bat term. on the alt. and a wire from key-on source (like ign. switch) thru the idiot light to term #1.