Electrical issue (video in OP)

[Nilsog]

My Dart started having some sort of issue today. I suspected that the alternator was going, because the car wasn't running very well, and I kept having to boost it. I borrowed a battery charger last night and charged the battery fully, which was enough to go around town a couple times today and get gas.

Now I don't have a dome light or any ignition at all. The only way I've been able to start the car, or get anything electrical to work at all, is to have the positive clamp from the battery charger hooked to the battery. Even with the charger off, and the negative off, the car will start and run with the clamp on. Once I remove it, the engine dies and so does everything electrical.

I tried tightening the battery terminal with no change. The battery and terminals are brand new, there is no corrosion.

Any suggestions?

I took a video of the phenomenon:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHxeI4D7lac&feature=youtu.be"]VID 20150818 192037 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[67Dart273]

Nothing is strange. Remove the battery cable clamps and CLEAN them. Clean the battery terminals, and the insides of the clamps.

Next, your alternator might not be charging.

"Quick check" Get yourself a clip wire "alligator clips" and disconnect the small field wire at the alternator. Clip your wire to that alternator terminal, run it over and connect the other end to the battery terminal of the starter relay.

Start the car, run up RPM "easy" and watch the ammeter.

See if it charges.

If not, clip a voltmeter to the alternator output (big stud.) Repeat the test, see what the voltage does. If it stays low, below 13, the alternator is not charging.

If it goes "way" high, perhaps 16V or more, but the ammeter does not show a charge, than there is a break somewhere in the charging path to the battery

You have a shop manual? Get one here, free

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=31

HERE

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=109

In addition to the service manual, MyMopar has simplified wiring diagrams which are sometimes easier to follow. They are sometimes NOT complete

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=18

 

[Nilsog]

Your solutions always make me feel dumb, sir. That seemed to clear it right up, just cleaning the terminals with a wire brush.

My ammeter, without going through the steps you listed above, only shows negative. I assume that's a pretty good sign that the alternator is shot?

I tested it earlier with my test light and got a light by touching the two posts on the alternator.

This is all fairly new stuff to me, so I hope you understand all my questions. No stores are open here for me to get clips and wire at, so that test will have to wait a couple days until I get out of work on Friday.

Thanks!

 

[67Dart273]

I would not assume unless you've done the test I described

I always "think" in "sections

The output wire of the alternator must have a low resistance path to the battery.

the alternator must be capable of operating, what the above should show

THEN you can worry about whether the field wiring is ok.........

and whether the VR is good or bad.