Electrical Help Please
I have the stock AMP meter in the car. It is moving from straight up to far right at times and middle right while I drive. The electric fan came on at Auto Zone. Stayed on for a few minutes with the car not running while I was there. When I restarted the car it was slow to start..... but it started. Then the AMP meter in the dash swung all the way to the right like it was charging.........
First thing is to figure out if the ammeter is still connected as the factorry intended. IF it is, it will tell you more than a voltmeter.
The way car ammeters are set up is to indicate battery charging or discharging.
After the car starts, clearly the alternator is working (system voltage goes to 14+ V) On an electrical system that hasn't been altered the ammeter will then show battery charging. On your car, we need to figure out the wiring changes.
I disconnected the negative battery cable from the battery and let it idle about 5 min. It stayed running the whole time.
Please don't do that. It is unneccesary and can damage things.
None the less you have proven what many people have trouble beleiving, the car runs on the alternator.
Took the car to Auto Zone.
I turned the key on and held a wrench in front of the alternator pully. It almost jerked it out of my hand. Does that mean the alternator and voltage regulator are probably OK?
I have no idea why did this.
1. I checked the voltage with a meter at the battery with the car off. It was about 12.5v.
2. Then I started the car and it went to about 14.25v.
3. Then I started the car and removed the negative battery cable. The car didn't die. I let it run 5 min. or so.
1. A little low, but probably OK.
2. That's OK.
Where did you measure the voltage ?
3. Stop doing that!
It also has MSD 6, a long battery cable to the trunk which draws extra power when cranking, and it has 2 electric fans, one for the coolant and one for the transmission. I think it has high compression but can't be for sure yet. Another reason it may be hard to start. I think a battery with more AH storage would be good as well as more CCA. Would a higher amp alternator help? Would buying a 125 or 140 amp alternator hurt anything by putting out too much?? I mean it could have a 60 amp alternator on there now for all I know. It's an Ultima 01-8152. I tried cross referencing it but couldn't find it. Looks like they sell Ultima alternators at O'Reilley's. I don't have one near me. Since the engine and trans didn't come in this car in 1968, it's kinda hard to look it up without a part number.
We don't have enough information yet to make any decisions about alterations.
My suggestion would be to ditch the fans.
I guess I'll take it out of the car and take it back down there for a load test after it gets back to fully charged again with the Battery Tender.
Good plan.
Another way to test the charge state of the battery is as follows:
Do a slow charge. 2 to 3 amps. If its a trickle - go overnight. If its an automaticly adjusting charger run it until it says fully charged.
Connect the voltmeter to the battery and unless you have really long leads, have a helper watch the meter while the engine is cranking. If it drops below 9.5 Volts the battery is weak.