electrical problems...she's trying to die - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GreenMystChevy · 08-28-2003, 11:45 AM

Long story short- I was driving as usual, noticed my blinker would take a while to start blinking and would blink very slowly. Noticed my lights getting dimmer. Turned it off at a buddy's house, dead battery. Clutch started it, drove it home. Didn't think I would make it because I couldn't see anything with my headlights so dim.

The voltage gauge seemed to be in the same spot as usual, straight up and down. I am taking the alternator in today to see if that could be the culprit. What else should I look for and check. I have the alternator grounded, the battery grounded to the block. This is very frustrating because this is my daily driver.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 08-28-2003, 11:48 AM

The alternator is a good place to start. Do you still have an external regulator?

Also,

I would check the inline fuses on each side of the radiator. It sounds like your ampmeter is not working.

Jim

ChevLoRay · 08-28-2003, 12:17 PM

Straight up/down, indicates no charging or discharging....

I thought mine was okay, too. But, I replaced the alternator belt, and had previously installed a new regulator and a new wiring harness....due to an unfortunate electrical incident that fried a wad of wiring from the alternator.

Bad alternator belt could be a culprit, but I'd let someone check it (the alternator) with the proper equipment.

GreenMystChevy · 08-28-2003, 01:06 PM

External regulator? = The little black box thingy? What would an internal regulator be? Hmm, can't wait to get off of work to take a peek.

Inline fuses on the sides of the radiator? Gonna have to look for those too, didn't know they existed.

Just might try a new belt too. Man, can't I just drive it

No worries, whatever doesn't kill me...
just takes my money and makes me smarter.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 08-28-2003, 01:37 PM

The external regulator mounts to the radiator support on the left side, close to the horn(s). They do cause problems.

The inline fuses are on the main feed wire and they look like small
rubber footballs, only they will come apart. I believe that they use a very short 5 amp fuse, (to protect the guage).

Unfortunately, even these trucks need attention! (Part of the attraction).

Good luck!

Jim

GreenMystChevy · 08-28-2003, 04:22 PM

Well, i took the alt in and sure enough, it was dead. I got a new regulator while I was at it. Thanks Jim and Chevloray for the help.

If these new parts don't fix it I'll be sure to let ya know.

Longhorn Man · 08-28-2003, 10:51 PM

Good call on getting the new regulator at the same time. It's kinda amazing how many are original.

72c10step · 09-01-2003, 01:28 PM

Thanks JimKshortstep4x4! My ampmeter hasn't been working since I got it, and I never even knew that there was fuses inline on either side of the radiator! They were hiding up under the lip of the radiator shroud where I couldn't find them. After your reply, I searched until I found them, and one was a 25 amp fuse, the other was blown. So I get new fuses, replace them, and now the gauge works great! Thanks a lot!

BTW: Does someone have a good set of electrical diagrams, that tell where all the inline fuses are and stuff?

71-longbed · 09-01-2003, 01:39 PM

Quote:

I believe that they use a very short 5 amp fuse

those inline fuses call for a 4 amp fuse .. there dinky little guys ...both of mine were blown as well ... my ammeter only moves when i start the engine ... while its running the needle sets in the middle of the gauge....

08-28-2003, 11:45 AM	#1
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	electrical problems...she's trying to die Long story short- I was driving as usual, noticed my blinker would take a while to start blinking and would blink very slowly. Noticed my lights getting dimmer. Turned it off at a buddy's house, dead battery. Clutch started it, drove it home. Didn't think I would make it because I couldn't see anything with my headlights so dim. The voltage gauge seemed to be in the same spot as usual, straight up and down. I am taking the alternator in today to see if that could be the culprit. What else should I look for and check. I have the alternator grounded, the battery grounded to the block. This is very frustrating because this is my daily driver. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

08-28-2003, 12:17 PM	#3
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Straight up/down, indicates no charging or discharging.... I thought mine was okay, too. But, I replaced the alternator belt, and had previously installed a new regulator and a new wiring harness....due to an unfortunate electrical incident that fried a wad of wiring from the alternator. Bad alternator belt could be a culprit, but I'd let someone check it (the alternator) with the proper equipment. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

08-28-2003, 01:06 PM	#4
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	External regulator? = The little black box thingy? What would an internal regulator be? Hmm, can't wait to get off of work to take a peek. Inline fuses on the sides of the radiator? Gonna have to look for those too, didn't know they existed. Just might try a new belt too. Man, can't I just drive it No worries, whatever doesn't kill me... just takes my money and makes me smarter. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

08-28-2003, 04:22 PM	#6
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Well, i took the alt in and sure enough, it was dead. I got a new regulator while I was at it. Thanks Jim and Chevloray for the help. If these new parts don't fix it I'll be sure to let ya know. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

09-01-2003, 01:28 PM	#8
72c10step WHYBYNU when old will do? Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Loudon, NH Posts: 876	Thanks JimKshortstep4x4! My ampmeter hasn't been working since I got it, and I never even knew that there was fuses inline on either side of the radiator! They were hiding up under the lip of the radiator shroud where I couldn't find them. After your reply, I searched until I found them, and one was a 25 amp fuse, the other was blown. So I get new fuses, replace them, and now the gauge works great! Thanks a lot! BTW: Does someone have a good set of electrical diagrams, that tell where all the inline fuses are and stuff? __________________ -72 Chevy C10 Stepside -2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 -1984 Jeep CJ7 -1995 Polaris XCR600 Custom -2003 Honda 300ex

08-28-2003, 11:48 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	The alternator is a good place to start. Do you still have an external regulator? Also, I would check the inline fuses on each side of the radiator. It sounds like your ampmeter is not working. Jim

08-28-2003, 01:37 PM	#5
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	The external regulator mounts to the radiator support on the left side, close to the horn(s). They do cause problems. The inline fuses are on the main feed wire and they look like small rubber footballs, only they will come apart. I believe that they use a very short 5 amp fuse, (to protect the guage). Unfortunately, even these trucks need attention! (Part of the attraction). Good luck! Jim

08-28-2003, 10:51 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Good call on getting the new regulator at the same time. It's kinda amazing how many are original.



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