Starting issue, 68 newport 383

[Biggredd2069]

Frustrated to have to post this but here goes. As some of you may know i recently upgraded to a pertronix electronic ignition. Had a ton of issues. So as a result of that and previous issues I bought a brand new alternator, brand new gold level battery, new coil, and new voltage regulator. I've been running good the last two weeks or so. Today though my battery seemed to drain real fast and while at a store I tried to start it got total drain and no start. Got a jump and started super fast. I'm gonna check grounds. But damn. It's getting exhausting. What I gotta do to have some reliability in my starting? Already been towed when the alternator went out (didn't know the issue yet), but sucks driving with the thought of not starting every time you go somewhere in it.

 

[BLUPORT]

Could this be related to your recent headlight relay installation? Did you replace the battery cables?

 

[stubs300]

Frustrated to have to post this but here goes. As some of you may know i recently upgraded to a pertronix electronic ignition. Had a ton of issues. So as a result of that and previous issues I bought a brand new alternator, brand new gold level battery, new coil, and new voltage regulator. I've been running good the last two weeks or so. Today though my battery seemed to drain real fast and while at a store I tried to start it got total drain and no start. Got a jump and started super fast. I'm gonna check grounds. But damn. It's getting exhausting. What I gotta do to have some reliability in my starting? Already been towed when the alternator went out (didn't know the issue yet), but sucks driving with the thought of not starting every time you go somewhere in it.

So where's your question if you have one in that rant????

 

[BLUPORT]

So where's your question if you have one in that rant????

Right before the question mark.

What I gotta do to have some reliability in my starting?

 

[Biggredd2069]

I did not replace the battery cables. Suppose that could be an option but they seem fine. Best not to assume. It's definitely a rant with the assumption of needing to know what else do I need to check? I'I' be checking the ground connections. The headlight relay has been over a week of seemingly good reliable starting. Have only used the headlights once but they are hooked direct to the battery as a possible drain source.

 

[BLUPORT]

I did not replace the battery cables. Suppose that could be an option but they seem fine. Best not to assume. It's definitely a rant with the assumption of needing to know what else do I need to check? I'I' be checking the ground connections. The headlight relay has been over a week of seemingly good reliable starting. Have only used the headlights once but they are hooked direct to the battery as a possible drain source.

Definitely check over all the main wires first, make sure everything has a clean and solid ground. If you already had an issue with a non-charging alternator, and it's doing it again, I would absolutely suspect the wiring from the alt.

 

[Biggredd2069]

Good point. I'Il start at the alternator.

 

[BLUPORT]

If you're getting good voltage at the stud on the back, check the other end of the wire. Could be your culprit.

 

[detmatt]

You’ve been doing all sorts of mods on this car haven’t you? Did you wire something up in such a way that there is now a parasitic drain on the battery?

 

[BLUPORT]

I'm also thinking a bad ground at the Voltage regulator could keep it from charging, but I'm far from an expert.

 

[Biggredd2069]

That's definitely a possibility that I wired something wrong but it's all been pretty straightforward positive and ground, on and off. But can't rule anything out. I'm gonna go through and disconnect all the grounds I can find and clean then and reconnect. The only fancy wiring I've done is the ignition, headlight harness and halo headlights.

 

[BLUPORT]

The only fancy wiring I've done is the ignition, headlight harness and halo headlights.

I wouldn't date a woman who was a model who enjoyed drowning puppies in a river. Don't focus so much on the shiny stuff, instead worry about the stuff people can't see; that's usually more important.

Get the insides right, then make it pretty.

 

[Welder guy]

1- Pull your negative cable off at your battery 2- Get your multi-meter out and check between the battery and the cable to determine if you have a power draw. 3- If you have a power draw, pull all your fuses , connect your battery cable and start start testing all your electrical circuits at the fuse box till you find the one that is draining your battery . 4- If you don’t have a power draw when checking at the battery you need to start looking at the cars charging system to see if it’s working properly. With all the modifications you made to your car , you need to get back to the basics to figure out what the root of your problem is.

 

[detmatt]

1- Pull your negative cable off at your battery 2- get your multi-meter out and check if you have a power draw 3- If you have a power draw, pull all your fuses , connect your battery cable and start start testing all your electrical circuits at the fuse box till you find the one that is draining your battery . 4- If you don’t have a power draw when checking at the battery you need to start looking at the cars charging system to see if it’s working properly. With all the modifications you made to your car , you need to get back to the basics to figure out what the root of your problem is.

That’s what I said!

 

[Davea Lux]

In addition to the above posts, if you do not find a parasitic drain, try unhooking the negative battery cable and let the car sit overnight. Check the battery voltage, it is also possible you got a defective battery with an internal short.

Dave

 

[Davea Lux]

While you have the voltmeter out, a battery that has sat overnight should show a reading of 12.4-12.6 volts. Start the car and that number should be at least 13.2 volts, that indicates the charging system is working. Turn on the headlights or heater, you should still get about 13 volts. If the voltage drops back to 12.5 volts or less under load, most likely you have an alternator with a bad diode.

Dave

 

[413]

Do not test charging output at idle, raise it to 1200 RPM or more to test voltage.

This car may need a witch doctor soon.

 

[Newport 66]

Is the alternator belt tension correct?
Ya ya I know, but.......
Have you isolated the voltage regulator to check that?
Same goes for the alternator. Good diagnostics can save a drain on your system as well as the cars.

 

[Davea Lux]

Is the alternator belt tension correct?
Ya ya I know, but.......
Have you isolated the voltage regulator to check that?
Same goes for the alternator. Good diagnostics can save a drain on your system as well as the cars.

Not to mention your wallet.

Dave

 

[rags]

have seen two defective off the shelf (n)everstart batteries recently.