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Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2408817
11/25/17 10:01 PM
11/25/17 10:01 PM
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that charging rate is too high. I'm thinking this 2nd electromechanical reg is the problem, a considerably way less 2nd choice would be the alt. I would certainly want to get an electronic reg which most parts house types are now (have no wire wound resistors on the bottom side of it) & a Wells 706 (iirc) was the last electronic one I got but it dont look OE (if that is critical). For sure the starting issue ain't a lack of voltage but it is critical to get this dealt with first as that high of voltage will fry (or significantly shorten the life) of bulbs and any electrical component that is "on" while it is charging that high. As said jump from the batt positive post to the "ign" terminal on the reg but your (posted) voltage drops are about as perfect as I have ever seen & a voltage drop might not be the issue (easy/free to check). I'm assuming the reg is grounded well since it has been changed & confirm the block is grounded well to the firewall/batt neg post. Backing up a bit I'm assuming you have a 2 field terminal alt with one terminal grounded.


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Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2409108
11/26/17 02:09 PM
11/26/17 02:09 PM
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Hey Robert - i will post the 2nd alternator results

If you watch the youtube video, that is after the alternator change which was the only thing that affected the reading change at the cab gauge...

I have the newer style triangle plug regulator with both alt wires correctly connected. The hard start may have been a coincidence and is so far cured with the new ign switch. All firewall/harness connections clean and tight...

Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2409318
11/26/17 10:16 PM
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You know I was out jogging today & it crossed my mind that the unsteady ammeter needle would be from an electromechanical reg that ain't quite right or alt brushes/commutator (intermittent contact) but with your electronic reg that elims that. So I am thinking the alt if your idle speed is up high enough where it is supposed to be. On the high charging rate (which has to be dealt with) a sulphated battery would be the last potential but do continue to check voltage drops & jumping 12V to the reg "side" blue wire terminal would be my first step (a thin pin to stick in the triangle connector).


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Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2409507
11/27/17 10:07 AM
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Will do

That Amp label is stuck over a volt gauge so that needle wiggle is pulsing from 12-12.5 and then on rev it goes up a half volt or so with the same range wiggle....

I'll try to get time this week again. I've never used a volt gauge before this truck so I am not sure how they should be reading when tapping the full voltage at the gauges before the limiter.....

Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2409550
11/27/17 12:38 PM
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If that is actually a voltmeter then that wiggle/slight raise you reported is normal. but 15+ is still a critical problem.


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Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2409586
11/27/17 01:38 PM
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Gotcha. I'll reflect the recent alt change voltage numbers. I think I switched this alt out originally because I didn't like that "wiggle"

so, maybe I've been running a jacked up alt for a while and it took more of a dive recently.......

Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2414954
12/07/17 10:32 PM
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Ugh. Baffled by high alt stud voltage reading. Had a new alternator on the bench so i swapped that in. New battery because the old was not holding charge. All of my voltage readings are very similar to first numbers posted (15.6 at alt stud)

Tried a new regulator for kicks with no change. Figured it was worth a try...

Alt wire goes straight to starter relay (madd style) could it be something in that neighborhood? Fusible link connections?

Starting problem cured with new switch. Volt gauge still pulses 12-13 volts

Last edited by wally426ci; 12/07/17 10:33 PM.
Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2414963
12/07/17 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted By wally426ci
I've never used a volt gauge before this truck so I am not sure how they should be reading when tapping the full voltage at the gauges before the limiter.....


Do you know how the IVR works? It's a clicker type regulator that uses the current passing thru it to heat up a bimetallic trip that cycles the load (gauges) on and off, you pick a poor source for your voltmeter as it is seeing that load clicking on and off.

Did you ever get a reading at the voltage regulator sense voltage? I didn't see it in the thread. I suspect it is low.



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Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2415004
12/08/17 12:04 AM
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I'll take that reading over the weekend.

Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2415119
12/08/17 10:23 AM
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Hey Supercuda - the gauge is connected to voltage once Key turns on. a separate wire feeds the limiter to the gauges. Before the hard start and low reading issue, the gauge read steady - but I admit that I never checked the voltage when I thought the system was operating correctly.

The needle never pulsed before this whole issue..... When I fist did the wiring, I had the needle pulse and swapped alternators. Now I wonder if there was an issue with the swapped in alt......

I'll check my connections at the starter relay this weekend and get the volt reading from the regulator. I would think I can check those readings at the field terminals on the alt since the wires connect?

Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2415162
12/08/17 12:14 PM
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You really want to check as close as possible to the VR. The sense line splits at the ballast so you would not be checking the feed to the VR at all.

If you followed Chrysler color codes the blue wire is the sense line, should be the same as the battery or alternator output voltage. The green line controls the alternator and you need to check each end and compare as that reading will vary depending on load.


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Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2415201
12/08/17 01:24 PM
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Do you still have the factory amp gauge?If it has one try disconnecting it.I had lots of problems with the ones in my trucks.Unhooked all and used a vot meter.That and Wells isnt the best brand for electronics.i use Standards etc.Rocky


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Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2415208
12/08/17 01:38 PM
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Read the thread


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Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2415859
12/09/17 07:45 PM
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Ok, with the vr triangular plug at the bottom of the vr, i got the following readings:

Idle: top wire = 14.4 bottom right = 4.6
rev: top wire = 15.5 bottom right =13

Truck was wired without issue for a few years.

I did question myself after seeing a diagram that showed the ignition feeding from the lower vr terminal. Mine is fed from the top like other diagrams. I used jumpers to swap the field connections onnthe vr for a few minutes. I must have cooked that new vr because after that the alt stud readings held steady around 12.26 and the gauge in the truck was no longer reading.

So far i have not run seperate witing like Robert suggested as i wanted to report back first. In addition, i added an extra ground and cleaned the alt connections at starter relay. New positive bat cable since i had one.

Last edited by wally426ci; 12/11/17 03:13 PM.
Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2415875
12/09/17 08:04 PM
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I had a overcharging problem and it was a melted blue wire in my dash harness. It looked like the wire had been pinched and finally over time grounded and melted.

Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2415895
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Looks like the voltage sense is reading properly.

What does the ground for both the regulator and alternator look like? I'd run extra for testing.


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Re: Finding the Voltage drop 68 Dodge Truck issue [Re: wally426ci] #2416421
12/10/17 09:39 PM
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I had an overcharging and starting problem with my 71 Challenger. Once in a while it would not start. A few times I ended up "pop starting" it. The voltage was low at idle and way over when revving. I'd blow the caps off the battery. I couldn't find the problem and had 3 different garages hunt for the problem. No one found anything. One day I was under the dash and just happened to notice the connector plug for the steering column to the dash harness had a black streak in it. It was the heavy red wire. I clipped the wire on both sides of the connector and bypassed it with a separate connection. It was fixed. No more problems with it not starting and overcharging.

So look for a bad connection. Especially in your hot wire from your starter to the relay.

Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2416780
12/11/17 03:05 PM
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Thanks - still trying to get some time to bypass some wires as suggested by Robert - banging my head against wall at the moment... help

Last edited by wally426ci; 12/11/17 03:05 PM.
Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2417064
12/11/17 11:44 PM
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when the shop tested the alt did they give you a sheet with the voltage? which is what it produces when full fielded. You might try this: pull both female terminals off of the alt male field terminals & jump one terminal to the nearby alt case (ground) then hook the voltmeter to the alt (batt stud/nearby alt case) & idle it at a good fast idle & jump 12V to the other alt male field terminal for several seconds, just long enough to see what the voltmeter reads & have all lights/accessories OFF for this. Is this the same 15+V reading you are dealing with? You might also grab a coil of wire & some alligator clips from the HELP section at your parts house & make some jumpers & pull both field leads from the alt & pull the triangle reg connector & jump 12V to the top reg nub and 12V to either male alt field terminal then connect the other reg (side) nub only to the other alt male field terminal & jumper from the reg case to ground & start it & at a fast idle see what the voltmeter AT the alt reads. this takes the wiring out of the picture & only leaves the reg or the alt. & electronic regs almost always either go open (no charging) or full field (max voltage the alt can produce).


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Re: Over Charging Problem 68 Dodge Truck [Re: wally426ci] #2417375
12/12/17 03:17 PM
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Thanks for not getting frustrated with this long lasting Help thread guys. I'll try to see if I have the alt card somewhere. I plan on getting back to this over the weekend. It's super cold out and our 140 yr old house requires attention at times....

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