Charging system trouble Any ideas? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Truck Hippy · 01-29-2005, 08:41 PM

I have a 72' swb 4x4 with the 350/auto. The alt. went out so I go to Advance auto parts and get a new one. Bolt it on and it stops running when I take the cable off the battery. I put a new voltage reg. on it and its fine............ for a few days. I go to the beer store one day just before dark. I turn on the head lights and they are so bright I think there going to melt the guy in front of me back window. The faster I go the brighter the lights. I figure I got a bad reg. I put a used one on and its fine...........for a few days. Same thing happens. The head lights are so bright is like looking at the sun. Advance say the new alt. is working fine. Any ideas? Thanks, Wes.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 01-29-2005, 08:53 PM

It sounds like the regulator is not grounded. Make sure the regulator is well grounded to the radiator support with a wire from the case to the support.
(The mounting screws will not ground the regulator).

Jim

Longhorn Man · 01-29-2005, 08:56 PM

Also inspect the plug real good, maybe clean it up a bit and put some dielectric grease in it.
Seems odd that you keep burning up the regulators.
Ever thought of upgrading to an internally regulated deal? Almost as easy as an HEI swap.

Truck Hippy · 01-29-2005, 09:00 PM

Thanks guys. I have thought about the swap Longhorn. I did the swap for the HEI. How much trouble is it? Thanks, Wes.

71meangreenc10 · 01-29-2005, 10:23 PM

I would just convert it to a 84 chevy alt, you can buy a wire conversion from brothers, or get the wire from NAPA and cut it yourself, No more external regulator.......

Smitty

junkyardjohn · 01-30-2005, 12:36 AM

OR EVEN SIMPLER CONVERT TO A ONE WIRE ALT.

JOHN

01-29-2005, 08:41 PM	#1
Truck Hippy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hickory, NC. Posts: 776	Charging system trouble Any ideas? I have a 72' swb 4x4 with the 350/auto. The alt. went out so I go to Advance auto parts and get a new one. Bolt it on and it stops running when I take the cable off the battery. I put a new voltage reg. on it and its fine............ for a few days. I go to the beer store one day just before dark. I turn on the head lights and they are so bright I think there going to melt the guy in front of me back window. The faster I go the brighter the lights. I figure I got a bad reg. I put a used one on and its fine...........for a few days. Same thing happens. The head lights are so bright is like looking at the sun. Advance say the new alt. is working fine. Any ideas? Thanks, Wes.

01-29-2005, 10:23 PM	#5
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,159	I would just convert it to a 84 chevy alt, you can buy a wire conversion from brothers, or get the wire from NAPA and cut it yourself, No more external regulator....... Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time

01-30-2005, 12:36 AM	#6
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	OR EVEN SIMPLER CONVERT TO A ONE WIRE ALT. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

01-29-2005, 08:53 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	It sounds like the regulator is not grounded. Make sure the regulator is well grounded to the radiator support with a wire from the case to the support. (The mounting screws will not ground the regulator). Jim

01-29-2005, 08:56 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Also inspect the plug real good, maybe clean it up a bit and put some dielectric grease in it. Seems odd that you keep burning up the regulators. Ever thought of upgrading to an internally regulated deal? Almost as easy as an HEI swap.

01-29-2005, 09:00 PM	#4
Truck Hippy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hickory, NC. Posts: 776	Thanks guys. I have thought about the swap Longhorn. I did the swap for the HEI. How much trouble is it? Thanks, Wes.



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