Help! Battery isn't charging - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lukecp · 06-03-2002, 11:37 AM

Well, the battery isn't charging on my truck, period. This all started when i went to install a amp guage in the truck. Following the instructions that came with the guage, i spliced into the 10ga wire lead coming off the battery cable at the terminal, and ran a 10ga wire to the amp guage. Then, i ran another 10ga wire from the amp guage, to the other end of the wire i had spliced, which should go to the voltage regulator, or the alternator. Anyway, i went to drive my truck around, and my new amp guage showed that the battery wasn't getting charged at all, all the power on the truck was being drawn from the battery instead of the alternator. If i turn on the lights, the guage needle will dip father down into the negative side of the guage. So, i thought it was my alternator. I took it in to the auto parts store, and had them check it. It tested out perfectaly fine, it was producing about 14 volts, and more than enough amps. So, i put it back in the turck, and still, it isn't charging. I double checked the alternator with a test light while the engine was running, and it was hot. I double checked all of the connections i made while putting in the amp guage, and they are all fine too. The only other thing that i can think of is the voltage regulator. How do i test this? What else could be causing this problem?

RodC · 06-03-2002, 12:06 PM

If you reverse the wires on an AMP guage it will read backwards. Sounds like if it was charging before, you just have the guage wired backwards. Reverse the wires on the back of the guage.

Here is a quick test, dont start truck. Turn on Lights, fan on high, radio wipers. If the guage indicates a dip to - side it is hooked up right. If it goes to + it is backwards.

lukecp · 06-03-2002, 12:30 PM

The amp guage isn't wired backwards, that was one of the first things i checked. When i turn on the lights, with the engine running or not, the needle dips further down into the negative side of the guage. Plus, if i pull the positive battery cable off when the engine is running, the engine dies. It is like the power from the alternator isn't getting to the battery.

70c10 · 06-03-2002, 12:59 PM

Check all grounds!

DennyB · 06-03-2002, 01:28 PM

Voltage regulators arnt expensive and if yours is original I would throw one on to see if thats it. If yours is 30 y/o odds are that you will need one in the future any way.
Anyway I would start there.

Gordo · 06-03-2002, 05:23 PM

A volt meter would be of help here, but you can check for the alt charging or not by touching the backside center of the alt while it's running with a metal object such as a screw driver, if it is magnatized it's working. Also check for power on both sides of new amp gauge, if not could be gauge is ng.

lukecp · 06-03-2002, 10:07 PM

I went ahead and replaced the voltage regulator, and proplem solved! It charges pretty good. Thanks for the help!

06-03-2002, 11:37 AM	#1
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Help! Battery isn't charging Well, the battery isn't charging on my truck, period. This all started when i went to install a amp guage in the truck. Following the instructions that came with the guage, i spliced into the 10ga wire lead coming off the battery cable at the terminal, and ran a 10ga wire to the amp guage. Then, i ran another 10ga wire from the amp guage, to the other end of the wire i had spliced, which should go to the voltage regulator, or the alternator. Anyway, i went to drive my truck around, and my new amp guage showed that the battery wasn't getting charged at all, all the power on the truck was being drawn from the battery instead of the alternator. If i turn on the lights, the guage needle will dip father down into the negative side of the guage. So, i thought it was my alternator. I took it in to the auto parts store, and had them check it. It tested out perfectaly fine, it was producing about 14 volts, and more than enough amps. So, i put it back in the turck, and still, it isn't charging. I double checked the alternator with a test light while the engine was running, and it was hot. I double checked all of the connections i made while putting in the amp guage, and they are all fine too. The only other thing that i can think of is the voltage regulator. How do i test this? What else could be causing this problem? __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

06-03-2002, 12:06 PM	#2
RodC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fairmont WV Posts: 304	If you reverse the wires on an AMP guage it will read backwards. Sounds like if it was charging before, you just have the guage wired backwards. Reverse the wires on the back of the guage. Here is a quick test, dont start truck. Turn on Lights, fan on high, radio wipers. If the guage indicates a dip to - side it is hooked up right. If it goes to + it is backwards. __________________ Rod Childers '71 C10 Stepside

06-03-2002, 12:30 PM	#3
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	The amp guage isn't wired backwards, that was one of the first things i checked. When i turn on the lights, with the engine running or not, the needle dips further down into the negative side of the guage. Plus, if i pull the positive battery cable off when the engine is running, the engine dies. It is like the power from the alternator isn't getting to the battery. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

06-03-2002, 12:59 PM	#4
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	Check all grounds! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

06-03-2002, 01:28 PM	#5
DennyB Led Sled! Discs R 4 ME! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toms River, NJ, USA (Transplanted Hoosier) Posts: 7,327	Voltage regulators arnt expensive and if yours is original I would throw one on to see if thats it. If yours is 30 y/o odds are that you will need one in the future any way. Anyway I would start there. __________________ "Never ride faster than your Angel can fly" I.M.O.M,W,J&C Patriot Guard Rider

06-03-2002, 05:23 PM	#6
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	A volt meter would be of help here, but you can check for the alt charging or not by touching the backside center of the alt while it's running with a metal object such as a screw driver, if it is magnatized it's working. Also check for power on both sides of new amp gauge, if not could be gauge is ng. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

06-03-2002, 10:07 PM	#7
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I went ahead and replaced the voltage regulator, and proplem solved! It charges pretty good. Thanks for the help! __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg



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