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real quick alternator question #83196
07/02/08 08:18 PM
07/02/08 08:18 PM
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San Diego
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64dartsb Offline OP
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64 dart stock electrical system

What does it mean when my wires that go to the stock in dash gauge keep getting hot and melting? I cleaned everything up and put new connectors on it and electrical tape around each wire and they still burn up. Whats wrong with it?

-Matt

Thanks guys

Oh ya I'm in the garage right now so I'll fix it right now


if your dreaming of your car then it's your dream car....
Re: real quick alternator question [Re: 64dartsb] #83197
07/02/08 08:28 PM
07/02/08 08:28 PM

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On older Mopars with an amp gauge, ALL the system current that the car uses goes through the ammeter, except the starter. There can be a LOT of current going through there.

The problem is "right there." That is, either one or both of the wire terminals on the wire ends has gone bad, or the mounting/ studs/ bolts/ nuts on the ammeter itself are loose, and allowing the ammeter itself to get hot.

I don't remember what yours looks like, but some of the newer dashes are VERY poorly designed. Some of the later pickups had an all-plastic dash, and the studs and nuts which make the wire connections holds the whole thing together. If the stud(s) get the slightest bit loose, it/they get hot, melting the plastic, and getting even looser, and getting even hotter. "Snowball."

Take the thing apart, and clean everything, and carefully reassemble, maybe replace the wire ends.

Alternatively, bypass the ammeter altogether and use a voltmeter.

Re: real quick alternator question [Re: 64dartsb] #83198
07/02/08 08:28 PM
07/02/08 08:28 PM
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Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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It could be a few things. There is too much current going through those wires, that is why they are getting hot.
It could be that there is a short in the system that is draining the current. It could also be that the regulator is malfunctioning, making the alternator overcharge the battery. The alternator could have a bad field, causing it to overcharge all the time.
Thats a few obvious things to look for.

Sheldon

Re: real quick alternator question [Re: RUNCHARGER] #83199
07/02/08 08:30 PM
07/02/08 08:30 PM
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San Diego
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64dartsb Offline OP
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so I should take off the alternator and the regulator take them to autozone and have them test them


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Re: real quick alternator question [Re: 64dartsb] #83200
07/02/08 09:40 PM
07/02/08 09:40 PM
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64dartsb Offline OP
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Took my alt. to autozone it was bad. Got a new one and the problem is still there. Now I'm gunna put a volt gauge in it and see if that fixes her.

One more question How do I check to see if the voltage regulator is bad. I have a voltmeter to test it with I just don't know what setting or what reading I should get.

thanks you guys are helping a lot

-matt


if your dreaming of your car then it's your dream car....
Re: real quick alternator question [Re: 64dartsb] #83201
07/02/08 09:56 PM
07/02/08 09:56 PM
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at the battery read the voltage with the car off.
should be around 12.5
then start the car and read the voltage
should be around 13.5 to 14.5
any higher then that, shut it off.

Re: real quick alternator question [Re: Andrewh] #83202
07/02/08 10:58 PM
07/02/08 10:58 PM

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PLEASE DO NOT throw parts at a problem. Having places like XXXXXX..one test components is a surfire way to invest a lot of money.

As Andrewh said, a good charged battery --engine off--should be around 12.6V. A properly charging system, measured directly at the battery posts, should be --at a good fast idle--and with all accessories off--around 13.5-14.5, depending on temperture, condition of the battery, etc.

Look through the technical section--there are a number of articles on the wiring problems that are now cropping up on these old rigs.

Re: real quick alternator question [Re: 64dartsb] #83203
07/02/08 11:42 PM
07/02/08 11:42 PM
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RapidRobert Offline
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bad ammeter. I have a complete '64 dart instrument cluster that I'll let go for $35 & it worked when I parted the car out.


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Re: real quick alternator question #83204
07/03/08 12:01 AM
07/03/08 12:01 AM
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Re: real quick alternator question [Re: NachoRT74] #83205
07/03/08 12:29 AM
07/03/08 12:29 AM
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64dartsb Offline OP
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all of the parts were warrantied so it was free. The car has correct voltage readings but the gauge(S) heat up. I even disconnected the gauges and just put the two wires together and then the adjoining wire got hot.

I'm reading that other info right now though

thanks


if your dreaming of your car then it's your dream car....
Re: real quick alternator question [Re: 64dartsb] #83206
07/03/08 12:49 AM
07/03/08 12:49 AM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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If you bypassed the ammeter & I wire is still hot I am mistaken it wouldn't be the ammeter. Heat is from too much amperage flowing or poor connection causing high resistance. I that old dart likely high res.


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Re: real quick alternator question [Re: RapidRobert] #83207
07/03/08 01:27 AM
07/03/08 01:27 AM
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64dartsb Offline OP
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So basically replace the thick wires????

I can do that tomorrow that should cut down on the resistance right?

I'm thinkin that even the gauge might be the smallest point in the wire and heat up because the connections are so small.

Wrong?

has anyone ever had this problem before? How was it fixed?


if your dreaming of your car then it's your dream car....
Re: real quick alternator question [Re: 64dartsb] #83208
07/03/08 09:36 AM
07/03/08 09:36 AM
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next look at the bulkhead connector for the big wire.
If it is coroded, it will cause high resistance. That will burn up those wires as well.







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