Chasing down a few electrical problems...

[monaco75]

Alright... I put a new battery in the bluesmobile last week. Everything was working great prior, though I stole the battery from my truck the last few months, and it needed it back. Anyhow, put the new battery in, and everything seemed good.

A few days later I notice the starter is is getting weaker on startups. I didnt think much of it, as the starter has always been a little weak, but has been working great the last year or so.. So maybe its starting to take a dive again??... The other day going to leave work, car wouldnt start. Long story short battery was dead. Took the battery back to be replaced, they had to charge it to test it before replacing it, so I had some time. Went back to the car with my voltmeter, and find out the car is not charging. Soo.. Go and get a new alternator (after they tested my old one, and it failed the test), along with a new battery. After hooking everything up, put the voltmeter back to it and was charging just as it should. Now the starter is getting weak again.. Car is not charging.

I'm hoping its just the voltage regulator. Gonna run and get one in a few, after I pull the new alternator out to take for a test as well.

Also my ammeter is not working, get no movement from it. Is there a way to test it while it is still in the car? I pulled my cluster/speedo to lube the speedo gear, and speedo.

The car just doesnt seem to be liking me at the moment!! lol

Please excuse the dirt, she needs a bath under the hood badly! Hopefully can get this sorted out, and cleaned by the end of the day!

 

[440Sled]

Do you have a switch on your dash that controls the dash lights? If it's the thumb rolling kind make sure that it's not all the way to the ON position. It will keep your dash or map light on. This will kill your battery real quick and you wont even know it. I made that mistake when I first picked up my car.

 

[monaco75]

Thanks 440sled. Yea it has that kind of switch, however it wasnt on.

The battery was getting no charge from the alternator while running. Ran the new alternator up to autozone for them to test. The new alternator failed the test. The guy looked into it, and found that the cable to test this alternator was no good! So my original alternator was probably still good! W/e, its done and over with. I exchanged the alternator for a new one just to be safe, and bought a new voltage regulator. Also bought a new negative battery terminal connector, as the one on the car was a littlf iffy. After bolting everything up, making sure all wire connections were snug she seems to be charging again. Took her out for a long drive, and she is still charging. Hell the ammeter seems to be working again as well. Idk lol

 

[Stormer]

Well, hopefully that solves it for you.