Problem Solved - so far!

Snotty

Snotty

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I've written on a few posts that I've been having a charging problem with my Newport. While driving it I have lost the alternator - total discharge. I put in a new Voltage regulator; problem lasted till my second drive. Replaced the Alternator; same result. I found a loose wire by my battery; made the car shut off. Fixed that and same result.

So I jiggled the wires going into the starter relay, and I got the alternator back!! Until the next time I drove it. (Thanks to those of you who corrected me when I called it a bulkhead connector!)

So, I bought a new relay from Rockauto. I put in on today - Whoo-Hoo! It's charging like mad!!

BUT!!! Will it last? I've been excited three times before. I am driving the car to Oroville tomorrow with my wife. I am hoping all will be well. I'll let you know!
 
Last edited:
Taking the long and "winding" road?
"Brush" off the dust when you get there...
"armature" you'll be fine...
 
Scott, I don't see any other posts talking about problems so I am hoping you made the trip with no drama. I hope it was great, and I hope it wasn't too hot.
 
Thanks guys, but problem is NOT solved. :(

Drove it today to Costco. All was working well until I was idling through the parking lot. Looked at my amp gauge and it was discharging... again. Was working well before that because I was watching it.

Before I left I opened the hood and wiggled all electrical wires. No effect. I drove home on battery power.

BUT!!! Just four blocks form my home I made a right turn and, viola!, the alternator was charging again!

There must be a loose wire somewhere. Any ideas??

By the way, on that left turn there was a 20-something guy in a '71 or 2 Dodge C Body, 2-door hardtop. I was waving all the way!! He was on his cell phone and did not see me. She-it!
 
sound like you'll need to check the continuity of each wire
 
Mine did the same kind of thing, I replaced the alternator twice, the regulator without success. Turned out the battery feed thru the bulkhead connector was corroded and overheating.

Bulkhead 2.jpg
 
Loose wire cause fires and melting of old connections.Just be mindful of the age of these components. Simple designs and age can be hard to troubleshoot. Hang in there.
 
All right, the problem continued so I checked the block as was suggested. I pulled all 5 of the connectors.

I saw one little bit of corrosion on the number 8 location. (It's on the bottom right of the second plug on the left in Fury440's picture above.) I cleaned the male and female connections and plugged all back together. Started the car and the problem was gone! Drove it yesterday around town to several different locations and all worked well, the power never stopped. I am sure hoping this is not temporary.

A question, though. According to the FSM, that #8 position is for the windshield wiper switch. How would a small amount of corrosion on that particular connection have caused the alternator to stop charging, or preventing it from doing so?
 
Snotty said:
By the way, you have a lot more room around yours than I do on mine!!
Click to expand...
I took that picture before the engine was installed, lots of space, now not so much!
Once you are happy with the connection cleaning, coat them with dielectric grease to keep them dry and clean.
 
Fury440 said:
I took that picture before the engine was installed, lots of space, now not so much!
Once you are happy with the connection cleaning, coat them with dielectric grease to keep them dry and clean.
Click to expand...
You had suggested that earlier. I need to get some.

Drove the car last night and today; it's out front of my Office. All is still working well. Hope I got it!
 
Snotty said:
All right, the problem continued so I checked the block as was suggested. I pulled all 5 of the connectors....

A question, though. According to the FSM, that #8 position is for the windshield wiper switch. How would a small amount of corrosion on that particular connection have caused the alternator to stop charging, or preventing it from doing so?
Click to expand...

I hope all is well and the issue is gone for good this time. I personally think it wasn't cleaning the #8 connect that had any effect on your charging. For all intensive purposes you should be able to completely have that connector unplugged and the car would still run - as it doesn't complete any kind of circuit or mix in with the charging system. I do think when you unplugged all 5 of the connectors you might have loosened some trapped dirt, dust or debris. Or maybe the connector wasn't fully seated and wasn't completing the circuit. Which could explain why during turns or random days it decides to run fine. Physics doing its work.
Theres also the possibility that when you replaced the old starter relay - that it had lost some of its continuity and when replaced, it finally gave back some of the lost voltage - but never truly fixed your real problem.

No one has mentioned it and I'm very surprised. Have you checked all your grounds? Are they all clean and not corroded? Are any on fresh or heavily painted surfaces e.g. on the block or fender? As that can give you problems. Do you have the battery grounded to the engine - and if so - do you have an additional body ground as stated in the FSM. I personally have grounding straps and connections through the bay. Battery to intake. Intake to voltage regulator. Coil to block. Battery to fender. Finally - i know you have already replaced the alternator so it should be clean. The alternator itself is grounded through its case and through the mounting brackets to the engine. Ensure those are clean and not too dirty. All best wishes

- Greer
 
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