71 B body charging system woes
#2070243
05/09/16 06:46 PM
05/09/16 06:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,212 Minnesota
peabodyracing
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Minnesota
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I'm feeling very stupid today. Have been working on a 71 RR for the past several hours. The voltage won't regulate properly. Voltage output runs as high as 18V at road speed.
I've traced wires, double checked/cleaned connections, verified good grounds (even ran a separate ground for the regulator), tried a known good regulator, replaced the regulator plug to ensure the pins were making full contact (did verify the pin position/depth matches the plug), checked alternator brushes; no change at all.
My understanding of this vintage system is the regulator grounds the green wire as required to control voltage. The blue wire is hot from the ignition at all times when the ignition is on.
Any other thoughts please? Thanks in advance.
Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way
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Re: 71 B body charging system woes
[Re: peabodyracing]
#2070306
05/09/16 09:08 PM
05/09/16 09:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
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Circle Track
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Any other thoughts please? You are just dealing with a difficult case (they do come our way on occaision) luckily not too often. this started out of the clear blue with no parts/adjustment changes? (1) grab another alt out of your stash & sub it in for a quick test (2) check/confirm this high reading with your VOM (3) check voltage at the sense (blue) wire at the reg and at the alt. If the alt ain't full fielding itself in the internal field circuit/brush/brush holder assys and we know/assume the subbed in reg is good and the volt gauge is accurate (if it is at 18 you'd see it in the lights) then there has to be a dead short in the green wiring circuit which I doubt especially since you double checked the wiring/connectors but possible but a last resort on that would be to pull all related (field circuit wiring/plugs) & with jumpers feed the top little nub terminal on the reg and one of the alt field terminals with 12V (the blue ign1 run circuit) then a seperate jumper from the other alt field terminal to the side little nub terminal in the reg triangle connector (the green wire circuit). Holler back. EDIT short version, the alt, (IF) the reg is good
Last edited by RapidRobert; 05/09/16 09:18 PM.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 71 B body charging system woes
[Re: Luigi]
#2070726
05/10/16 12:36 PM
05/10/16 12:36 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
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My first post here. Been reading alot around here and like the solutions, tips & tricks... I have the same problem as above with my Chrysler Newport 1971, charging up to sometimes 17 á 18 volts !! Strange thing is : not always...sometimes it's charging the right 14.5 volts. Luigi welcome aboard! & you have just made contact with the best/sharpest/craziest bunch of Mopar addicts in the world. You have the electronic reg & they either go open or full field & when they do they stay that way so I would opinionate that you have a part time open (not in the reg) that is dropping the voltage cuz it ain't charging then & then when it makes contact it bumps it up high to restore the level which means if that is the case it would be dropping to 12 ish when it is in open mode HOWEVER 17/18 is real high and you might be dealing with a PT dead short in the green wire circuit including brushes/brush holders/alt internal field circuit (got another alt you can sub in for a quick test?). this must be fixed ASAP as 17/18 volts will fry electrical devices onboard in short order (bulbs will go first).
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 71 B body charging system woes
[Re: RapidRobert]
#2070888
05/10/16 05:28 PM
05/10/16 05:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,212 Minnesota
peabodyracing
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You guys are the best! Off to the garage this evening to see what I can find. Thanks much. I'll let you know what I find. Really appreciate the expertise.
UPDATE: Got it! Followed through the suggested steps. The alternator must have been grounding internally. Another one in place and 14.5V just like I wanted.
Thanks again for the help!
Luigi, let me add to the welcome Robert extended you earlier. You'll find this forum very helpful and even entertaining. Best wishes!
Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way
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Re: 71 B body charging system woes
[Re: peabodyracing]
#2071074
05/10/16 10:06 PM
05/10/16 10:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
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UPDATE: Got it! Followed through the suggested steps. The alternator must have been grounding internally. Another one in place and 14.5V just like I wanted. on the bad alt you might ohm the field terminals (& ohm em to the case) and eyeball the brushes/holders and or remove them & see if you spot an improper ground that you can easily rectify (& have a good alt for a spare)
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 71 B body charging system woes
[Re: RapidRobert]
#2071307
05/11/16 09:03 AM
05/11/16 09:03 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,212 Minnesota
peabodyracing
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Thanks Robert. Was already looking up parts for it as I'd like to go through it.
Sure appreciate the help!
Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way
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Re: 71 B body charging system woes
[Re: RapidRobert]
#2071702
05/11/16 09:48 PM
05/11/16 09:48 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
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My first post here. Been reading alot around here and like the solutions, tips & tricks... Luigi welcome aboard! & you have just made contact with the best/sharpest/craziest bunch of Mopar addicts in the world. Luigi We just had a guy put his torsion bar boots in the microwave. I warned you these people were different!
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 71 B body charging system woes
[Re: peabodyracing]
#2072189
05/12/16 07:05 PM
05/12/16 07:05 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 23 The Netherlands
Luigi
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Printed all the suggestions and the tips made above out and took it to my garage to figure out the problem....but now the car won't start !! F#*k !! Had this starting problem earlier: one click and that was it. I knew the battery was good so cleaned the battery cables and the car started right away so I thought: problem solved !! But now the starter keeps clicking like a machine gun....so have to solve thát problem first..pfff, I lóve those big Americans..
Edit: starter also clicks continiously when starter relais is jumpwired with a screwdriver...
???
Last edited by Luigi; 05/12/16 07:10 PM.
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Re: 71 B body charging system woes
[Re: Luigi]
#2072404
05/13/16 01:24 AM
05/13/16 01:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
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We'll assume the batt is good and the starter is good, clicking is classic poor/corroded connection in the large cable circuit (starter/solenoid ain't getting enough voltage) and that includes the ground return path. I would clean the terminal end of all large cables: posts (you did em). cable to block. cable to starter relay. starter relay to starter large terminal. eng to firewall is a good idea also. Still no go? set the battery on the ground by the left front wheel. clamp the red clamp of your jumper cables to the large/small starter terminals (one half of the clamp on the large one and the other half of the clamp on the small one so they are connected) and position em securely as the starter case is very close (a thick rag is good insurance). clamp the other end of that red cable to the batt positive post. clamp one end of the black jumper cable to the starter case (ground). then car in park/ebrake set make the final connection of the other end of the black cable to the batt neg post & see if the starter cranks normally. Holler back when you can.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: 71 B body charging system woes
[Re: Luigi]
#2072968
05/13/16 11:14 PM
05/13/16 11:14 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
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actually that dont tell you anything cuz there could be only 1 small strand of wire left from head to toe & you'd still get batt voltage. for a valid voltage drop test something needs to be operating so current is flowing so the resistance (voltage drop) can be measured. its like a college dorm with showers and toilets and sinks, people can get a drink out of the sink (the single strand test you did) & no problem but if the system capacity is antiquated (dont flow enough/old plumbing) just like a corroded connection in vehicle wiring, then when some one flushes a stool the guy in the shower gets scalded
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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