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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Winnsboro TX
Posts: 234
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So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Howdy all -
My son's truck is a '69 with a 327. We bought him an interstate battery when he first got the truck. He didn't drive it much on account the previous owner had antique plates on it (In TX, those are pretty much only good for parades). Battery went out after a few months. He bought another one from AZ because it's in town and he can take it back if it goes out. Well, now it needs to be jumped to get started. He changed the ground and starter wire. There's the one wire that goes straight from the postive to the alternator. Then a couple of wires that go from the alternator to a block thing on the front with a bunch of wires going all over the place from there. I'm sure it's due to lack of driving, but I wanted to see if I was missing something before I let him on the road with it and he gets stranded somewhere. All the lights and horn and stuff work. The alternator checked out good so now we're at a loss. Thanks for the help!
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1st - '68 long bed 2nd - '81 SWB Now - '86 SWB, Edelbrock 1406/stock 350/700r4 |
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#2 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 2,436
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
It sounds like the alternator or voltage regulator is not working. An alternator can check out ok, but if the regulator is bad or the wiring is wrong no charging will happen.
Have you checked the voltage at the battery when the truck is running, it should read in the 13.5-14.5 range?
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'67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E. |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Quote:
Oh, one more. This is one of those head slapper things. Check your cables. Grab the cable at the battery and try to twist it. If it moves it is too loose. Lots of folks just shovem on and think it's good but... |
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#4 |
Roadtrip!
![]() Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Grand Rapids MN
Posts: 13,737
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Some good advice already, and remember, just because a battery is new doesn't mean it is good. Do a load test on the battery also.
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67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: McAlester Olahoma
Posts: 114
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
One thing if it has a aftermarket radio in it the radio is not off off it still has power for the the preset and clock is still running.Where I work we sell lots of batterys And the main trouble is that the truck or tractor sets.and that radio is just sucking the power out.Now the failure rate on Battery is less than 1% of 1% but you can get 1 that is bad from the get go.If it sets for long time get a trickle chager that it auto.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Winnsboro TX
Posts: 234
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Great advice ya'll.
So I'm going out on a limb here and figuring the voltage regulator is the "black box" with wires coming from the alternator then going out all over the place? (and I thought this truck was going to be easier than my '86 ![]() If that looks good, I'll start tracing wires to see if any of them are shorted out. Good idea on the radio. It came with an aftermarket detachable face. I'll have to double check and see how it's wired and if it stays on. I've told him while he's not driving around the neighborhood to disconnect the battery. Thought about the trickle charger, because then I could use it for other things as well. Thanks again for all ya'll's help. Will diagnose tonight and let you know what we came up with.
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1st - '68 long bed 2nd - '81 SWB Now - '86 SWB, Edelbrock 1406/stock 350/700r4 |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Alden NY
Posts: 2,705
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
You can't tell by looking if the voltage regulator is good. Put a test meter on dc voltage and check the voltage going to the battery when the truck is running. As indicated in an earlier post, it should be about 14.2 volts. If you took your alternator in to an auto parts store and it tested good, and you are not getting the 14 volts at the battery, your regulator is probably bad. But before changing it, make sure the body of the regulator is well grounded to the core support - you can run a separate little ground wire from one of the cover screws to the core. It is a common problem. Then check the voltage at the battery with engine running again.
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1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7 |
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#8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
there should not be a wire going from the battery pos to the altenator in the stock wiring of your truck
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Nampa, Idaho
Posts: 119
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
I had a similar problem. Could not get my battery to charge. Pulled my alternator twice to be tested. Finally figured out that I had a bad ground on the voltage regulator. Fixed that and no more battery issues.
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1972 K5 CST |
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Quote:
shouldn't be in use and there then would be a charge wire going directly (routed to the wire block, then >) to the battery.
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project: "my happy mess" |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Winnsboro TX
Posts: 234
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Thanks again for the info so far!
So here's an update: - Charged the battery back up so I could test. - Cranked the truck up, pulled the negative cable off and the truck died - Checked volts at the battery while running: 12.1 - 12.4 - Checked volts at the battery with truck off: .7 with meter set at 2000m DC - Volts at wire going from alternator to battery (pos side): 12.1 - 12.4 I didn't get a chance to check the volt regulator as my bulb went out on the light so I figured it was time to close up shop. Originally he had the radio in there, but he said he took it out a while back. Did find out the power wire was still hot even with the key off, but since it was out, don't think it would pull a charge. I will double check the ground at the voltage regulator this evening. I also told him to get a new plug in for the alternator. The two wires in the back (not the red one on the screw) were just crammed in there and not even connected to the blades. They might have been touching enough to get juice as everything still worked. These two wires go to the voltage regulator. Looking at this diagram - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1287815401 Looks like there's a wire going from the battery to the alternator.
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1st - '68 long bed 2nd - '81 SWB Now - '86 SWB, Edelbrock 1406/stock 350/700r4 |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
My comments may not have been clear enough. Yes, there's a wire going from the alternator (+ out) to the junction block and then similar gauge going to the battery. That's the charge wire. But there's also another wire that goes to the volt regulator, seen in the diagram also. If wired correctly, w/out an internal regulated alternator - you have a 3 wire setup (hence three wires coming off of alternator).
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hermiston, OR
Posts: 947
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Should be reading between 13 and 14 volts running. You are running off the battery only.
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Running in place gets you nowhere fast. -me 1968 GTO 4-spd covnvertible 1970 K-20 4-speed, factory AC. |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
![]() ![]() Ignore the captioning on the bottom pic. Just showing the plug that goes to the external regulator. Don't think the external regulator's job is related to charging your battery, the charge wire going direct to the battery is. Someone correct me if my memory is off. Thus, implying your not charging your battery. Like webfoot suggests, check your alternator.
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project: "my happy mess" Last edited by litew8; 04-12-2012 at 08:22 PM. |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Sorry, memory is back.
The external regulator is inline to charging the battery. I get confused since I've never messed with it and have since removed mine and rewired. "The voltage regulator is basically a gatekeeper that will shut off the flow of juice to your battery if the voltage goes above a certain level, usually 14.5 volts. This keeps your battery from getting overcharged and cooked."
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project: "my happy mess" Last edited by litew8; 04-12-2012 at 09:29 PM. |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: RTP, NC
Posts: 518
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
FYI: to load test your battery use a DC voltmeter attached to the battery, it should read about 12.5 with the truck off, then start it, while its cranking it should not drop more than a volt. If the drop is more then you have a dead cell. Once the truck fires up you should have 14.4v. NAPA carries the regulators for about $15 if I remember correctly.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Winnsboro TX
Posts: 234
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
I'm leaning more towards the alternator now.
- Jumped it off to get it going - Checked voltage at battery: 12.4 - Checked voltage at the alternator: 12.4 - Voltage regulator has misc volts at each connector and one of those was, yup, 12.4 (ground it also good at regulator) Just for gee whiz, I pulled the wire from the alternator to the battery, guess what, wouldn't start. Also tried the ol' screwdriver against the back of the alternator test. Am I missing something or aren't these things supposed to create a magnetic field and pull the screwdriver in? Well, mine didn't. Screwdriver just flopped around in my hand. Gonna pull it tomorrow and take it to another place and have it checked out again. Here's a pic of the 1 wire and the back of the alternator. There's isn't a wire going from the post on the left..just the two in the middle and one on the right.
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1st - '68 long bed 2nd - '81 SWB Now - '86 SWB, Edelbrock 1406/stock 350/700r4 |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Winnsboro TX
Posts: 234
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Only wire I have going anywhere near the battery is the infamous red one.
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1st - '68 long bed 2nd - '81 SWB Now - '86 SWB, Edelbrock 1406/stock 350/700r4 |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
If there is only one red wire going DIRECTLY to the battery from the Alternator Output post, and bypassing the external regulator on the radiator support, - sounds like you have an internal regulated Alternator. That'd mean your internal regulator inside the Alternator has gone bad. Right?
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#20 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Foster Rhode Island
Posts: 1,176
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
The alt in that picture is an externally regulated one,it has the square plug. The big red charging wire on the alternater does not go to the regulater at all the regulater sends power through one of the small wires to the square plug and excites the alternater in effect turning it on and making it charge. The left post in your picture is a ground if I remember right and dosent always have a wire on it.Theres 4 wires on the regulater brown blue yellow red,(but not the one that bolts to the alternater). If you jump the regulater with a paper clip between the red and I think the blue it bypasses the regulater and if the alt is good it will charge. But if you are willing to take it off and the part store can test it just do that and if its good then change the regulater
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#21 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Yay Area CA
Posts: 2,329
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Quote:
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Sorry if my posts are off then. I had a heck of a time learning it myself for the first time
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#23 | ||
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Yay Area CA
Posts: 2,329
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
Quote:
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#24 |
Big Red - Now its a SWB!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Oroville, Ca
Posts: 1,624
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
To me it sounds like a bad regulator. My truck had the same symptoms with a new battery and alt so the only thing that was left to change was the reg. then it worked great. Like others have said they are cheap, so I would swap it and see if it fixes it.
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 3,016
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Re: So I'm on my 2nd battery...but why?
damn
![]() Whatever I did for a first time worked for me. I must not remember it all right. Hope you get it all sorted. It shouldn't be difficult to isolate.
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