Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 3 of 4 1 2 3 4
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2419525
12/16/17 05:21 PM
12/16/17 05:21 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
wally426ci Offline OP
master
wally426ci  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
Robert/Supercuda - thank you for hanging in there with me. After 20 years of driving old mopars, i always figure "won't happen to me"

I believe my main problem was a firewall connection. When i rewired, i traced back to find that i had created a connection for the ignition feed before it entered the cab. That short portion of the engine harness wire was brittle.

I drilled that wire out of the plug as well as the amp heavy wire and made a tight bullet connection wire to wire after pulling through firewall. I still want to be able to pull everything apart if need be.

In addition, i cleaned my fuse block connections again.

Those fixes now give me 14.7 idle up to 14.5 on the alt stud and a steady 12 on the volt gauge with no fluctuation.

I think i've been overcharging for a couple years without realizing until i killed the last battery.

I am over the moon!!

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2419538
12/16/17 05:54 PM
12/16/17 05:54 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda Offline
About to go away
Supercuda  Offline
About to go away

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Excellent


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2419612
12/16/17 09:33 PM
12/16/17 09:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
R
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
Circle Track
R

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
That was too easy!


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: RapidRobert] #2868130
01/02/21 03:30 PM
01/02/21 03:30 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
wally426ci Offline OP
master
wally426ci  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
Happy New Year everyone. My charging issue has crept up again. Here is what I’ve done:

Truck was basically idle for a year or so with engine/trans build. Recently installed with good body grounds. Connections at firewall clean & snug. Fuse block cleaned. Truck runs well and would not notice this issue until 5 mins of driving or so.

Issue with previous charts as guide. I am trying to determine if this points to a particular component. Battery load tested well at a reputable battery shop. Squareback alternator with new style voltage regulator (triangular plug).

Readings (location, Idle voltage, 2500 rpm, engine off)

Battery positive terminal (12.16, 14.7, 12.53)
Alternator stud (12.23, 19+, 12.53)
Coil (10.36, 15+, 0)
Top/center electronic VR terminal (11.27, 16+, 0)

+ sign means it was still climbing

Gauge, key switch and fuse block connections all clean & tight....

Greatly appreciate a bit of input.

Last edited by wally426ci; 01/02/21 05:52 PM.
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2868134
01/02/21 04:13 PM
01/02/21 04:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,658
A
Andrewh Offline
master
Andrewh  Offline
master
A

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,658
sensing line is off 1 volt at least.
how did you check that voltage. or rather what did you use as ground?
you need to use the case of the vr as ground and verify if it is off even more.
It could be a bad ground to the VR, or it could be the sensing line is dropping voltage through the bulkhead connector.

Typically I just run a relay using the sensing line as the key on trigger and a new line from the battery to the vr through the relay.
Or you can find where the bad connector is and clean it up.

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: Andrewh] #2868155
01/02/21 05:44 PM
01/02/21 05:44 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
R
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
Circle Track
R

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
You might make up some jumper wires with alligator clips & jump each/all connections including grounds ALL BACK TO THE BATTERY & if normal then all the hard components are good & it is a positive or negative wiring/connector/ground issue. you might remove one at a time till the issue flares which pinpoints the problem. you might have to modify this procedure to suit but you get the jist of it. we gotta do some elimination. stay in touch (we got your back).


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: RapidRobert] #2868161
01/02/21 05:53 PM
01/02/21 05:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
wally426ci Offline OP
master
wally426ci  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
Greatly appreciated Robert!. I’ll report back.

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2868278
01/02/21 10:08 PM
01/02/21 10:08 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
wally426ci Offline OP
master
wally426ci  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
Robert, when I jump, should I get a multimeter reading at the gauge each time? And I presume jumping coil/regulator?

Last edited by wally426ci; 01/02/21 10:21 PM.
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2868297
01/02/21 10:50 PM
01/02/21 10:50 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
R
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
Circle Track
R

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
we're dealing with a charging issue so we will work on the charging components. jump from batt positive terminal to the top (blue wire) terminal on the reg (stick a thick pin/wire in to get continuity). jump from batt neg post to the reg case. pull the 2 wires off of the alt field terminals (dont let em touch ground). jump from one male alt field terminal to the battery positive terminal. jump the other alt field male terminal to the green wire in the reg connector (use a thick pin/wire). jump from the battery positive terminal to the large alt threaded stud. jump from the batt negative post to the alt case (you might use your jumper cables for this if they are secured good or have a helper hold them). fire it up to a fast idle & see what voltage you get at the battery. only have it running for a few seconds 10 or so (long enough to get a reading) as full fielding from a bad component/grounded wire will fry things in short order. have all lights/radio etc off. I dont think I missed anything. this elims everything except the alt/reg/battery. EDIT we could jump one at a time but that is too much full fielding. you might pull the alt brushes & a visual there, they are a frequent culprit. my gut says alt or reg

Last edited by RapidRobert; 01/02/21 10:54 PM.

live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: RapidRobert] #2868302
01/02/21 11:04 PM
01/02/21 11:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,389
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
N
NITROUSN Offline
I Live Here
NITROUSN  Offline
I Live Here
N

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,389
UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
For The Life Of Mary. are you guys doing. It is simple logic here. Back probe your connections as the condition is occurring and you will easily diagnose the problem.

Last edited by NITROUSN; 01/02/21 11:05 PM.
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: NITROUSN] #2868318
01/02/21 11:45 PM
01/02/21 11:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,658
A
Andrewh Offline
master
Andrewh  Offline
master
A

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,658
he shows the readings clearly show sensing voltage to the VR doesn't match battery voltage, ever. And it gets worse as the voltage gets higher.
If it doesn't match it over charges.

It is just a question of why doesn't it match.
I don't think the jumpers are necessary to prove that. But I think when you are done, jumping the sensing line and vr case to battery power that it doesn't over charge.

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: Andrewh] #2868323
01/03/21 12:09 AM
01/03/21 12:09 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
wally426ci Offline OP
master
wally426ci  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
Thanks Robert and all. I haven’t heard the back probe term in all of my years btw... keep ya posted.

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2868776
01/04/21 09:59 AM
01/04/21 09:59 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
wally426ci Offline OP
master
wally426ci  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
1 Detail that I want to add that may help. I can drive for 5 minutes without voltage overcharge. Then it will spike up for a few seconds and settle down. I would jump straight to the regulator assumption, except it comes back. My experience with bad regulators is they go and do not regulate again.

I'll get some time to go back over the grounds and respond then. Just wanted to throw that info out there.

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2869058
01/04/21 08:04 PM
01/04/21 08:04 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
R
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
Circle Track
R

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
Agreed I have never known an electronic reg to go back & forth. I'm thinking a connector or ground is losing/regaining continuity OR the brush assy in the alt is doing the same thing. Keep after it & keep us posted


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: RapidRobert] #2869344
01/05/21 02:52 PM
01/05/21 02:52 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,237
north of coder
moparx Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"
moparx  Offline
"Butt Crack Bob"

Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 19,237
north of coder
have you had the brushes out and closely examined the isolated brush holder ?
what does the armature look like ?
also, are the male connections to the brushes clean and tight ?
beer

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: moparx] #2869580
01/06/21 05:40 AM
01/06/21 05:40 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
NachoRT74 Offline
master
NachoRT74  Offline
master

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,089
Valencia, España
Have you tried remove the alt and spin by hand to check some friction, contact or weird feeling when spinning? May have not necessary remove the alt but just loose the belts and feel it.

I had once my alt giving up to 18volts at iddle ( more giving RPMs ) but no charge on ammeter ( some charge when giving RPMs ). One of the stator lead to diodes was making contact with just one of cooling vanes on rotor when spinning. Hard to feel but I was able to feel a small "stop" similar to the elect distributor stop due the magnet with reluctor points when spinning. Dissasembled, bent the wire a bit and done.


With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: moparx] #2869657
01/06/21 12:17 PM
01/06/21 12:17 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
wally426ci Offline OP
master
wally426ci  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
Originally Posted by moparx
have you had the brushes out and closely examined the isolated brush holder ?
what does the armature look like ?
also, are the male connections to the brushes clean and tight ?
beer


Good points all! I'm wallpapering this week, but will get back to it this Weekend.

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2870162
01/06/21 11:08 PM
01/06/21 11:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,798
McGregor,Iowa 52157
5
500ciDuster Offline
top fuel
500ciDuster  Offline
top fuel
5

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,798
McGregor,Iowa 52157
Sorry if its been mentioned but 30 years ago I rebuilt an alternator for a friend and I over greased that bushing in the rear which slung grease out and ended up making a path to ground for one of the brushes and simulated what the voltage regulator does, caused it to overcharge bad

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2878010
01/21/21 06:56 PM
01/21/21 06:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
wally426ci Offline OP
master
wally426ci  Offline OP
master

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,554
Maryland
I appreciate everyone's help here. At the moment, I have a tentative fix (until I drive it more).

I double checked connections and grounds and did not find an issue. I kept thinking it was mechanical, because it would run fine for 5 minutes and almost switch to the high voltage. That told me it wasn't a connection.

I cleaned my Alt brushes and at the same time I replaced the VR. I am back to my original 14.7 idle to 14.5 readings at the gauge & across terminals/alternator, so I am hopeful that it was mainly the VR since the brushed looked fine to the eye. Keep ya'll posted (again)!

I have yet to jump anything, but I have that well documented in case this happens again.......

Last edited by wally426ci; 01/21/21 06:57 PM.
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2879129
01/23/21 07:25 PM
01/23/21 07:25 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
R
RapidRobert Offline
Circle Track
RapidRobert  Offline
Circle Track
R

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
what you might do if interested is unplug the reg & plug it into the old reg & ground the reg body with a jumper & see if it was the reg or the brushes


live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Page 3 of 4 1 2 3 4






Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1