When I started my car today, both the "CHOKE" indicator and the battery icon would not go 'off'.  In addition, the car is charging at about 13 amps, whereas it normally is charging about midway between 13 and 18.

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Chuck

I had the same problem with my 81.   I had to replace the alternator and then the problems went away!!  Maybe you need to do that also!!  It was nice meeting you Chuck!!

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Get the alternator checked may have a bad diode pack..you can just replace that if you want..real easy to do..and cheap..

Rich

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My first parade at Carlisle 2010

Thanks for the tips guys.  It was nice meeting everyone at MAM.  We had a great time.

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Chuck

Chuck, any major auto parts store can bench test it, just take it off and bring it to them.

I think you need to change your plate so they stop thinkin your car is a 81.......

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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

[QUOTE=ebo]

Chuck, any major auto parts store can bench test it, just take it off and bring it to them.

I think you need to change your plate so they stop thinkin your car is a 81.......

[/QUOTE] Ebo,

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Chuck

First check the connections at the alternator. If the plug, or the single red wire is loose, it can do this. Unplug the connector and re-connect it. Sometimes, they get a little corrosion, and can carry a little charge, but not a full current.
I've also seen blown fuses cause those lights to come on, as well as blown fuse-links.
Start with checking the connections and fuses, then test the alt...


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]First check the connections at the alternator. If the plug, or the single red wire is loose, it can do this. Unplug the connector and re-connect it. Sometimes, they get a little corrosion, and can carry a little charge, but not a full current.
I've also seen blown fuses cause those lights to come on, as well as blown fuse-links.
Start with checking the connections and fuses, then test the alt...
[/QUOTE] Will do.

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Chuck

The red wire at the back of the alt should have battery voltage at all times.  The red wire or white wire ( same thing ) on the alt plug should also have battery power at all times.  The smaller brown wire on the side plug will have limited power when plugged in with the key on, and 12 volts when unplugged.  This wire is from the dash fuse labled inst or gauges in most cases.   The alternator can self excite, like a single wire unit, and charge somewhat.  This backfeeds the fuse circuit and makes other things on the circuit operate when the fuse is blown.   And yes, it can be a bad alternator regulator, but that does not usually turn on the choke light.

Thanks.  I'll check those things, too.

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Chuck

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]

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Chuck

A fuseable link or fuse link is a piece of special wire.  Depending on it's size, length and gauge, it will act like a fuse.  The difference is it can carry much more amperage, and is slower to blow than a regular fuse.   There are two of them comming from the battery terminal on the starter that feed most other things in the car.    They have eylets on the starter terminal, the look like regular wire, then about a foot away from the starter or a bit less, there is a splice connector turning back into regular wire.

Here's a couple of different pics of fuse-links...

Fuse link 1

Fuse link 2

The first pic shows a couple of links behind the distributor. The second pic shows one link, but if you look, you can see where a couple of fuse-links have been removed, and the wires(a red and a yellow) spliced back together, and wrapped with tape. In that pic, the links are on the driver side, up under the fender, by the wiper washer bottle. There are more fuse-links down by the starter, also, as Ken said. Different cars will have a different number of links, and different locations, depending on options(A/C, rear defog, etc).
hth


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

I found the problem. 

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Chuck

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"