Topic: Charging system on the fritz
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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OK Guys, need a little help. I am now getting started on my '72 and the first thing I did was replace a dragging starter. Now the charging system dosen't work. The alt. is putting out 14 volts on the test stand. When I replaced starter there wer 2 wires on the starter big post ( I think) Were there supposed to be three? It seems like that the wire from the alternator goes to the starter to charge the batt.? Can anyone help with a simple troubleshoot? Thanks
swallace
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A little more info. I went home for lunch and found this out. When I check voltage to the alt w/key off I get a 12 V reading, however when you crank it no 14 V reading. The alt has a 12 ga Red wire to the alt and out the top of the alt is a 12 Ga red and a black or brown. The Red out of the top of alt goes to a relay on the fenderwell . Is this the reg? What do I do to get 14 volts when motor is running? Is this red wire from back of alt a wire to the big post on the starter solonoid? HELP!
swallace
If memory serves me correctally. the wire from the alternator goes to the horn relay and key buzzer, and in turn goes to the battery post on the starter. I think the wire from the alternator goes on one connection of the relay and a wire goes to the starter from another post on the relay. Check that circut. Been a while since I dug into that area, but I believe that is how it's fed.
Dave
A little more info. The 12 ga.red wire from the battery post on the starter goes to the relay which is no the relay Pumps was referring to (thanks Pumps) the red goes on from the relay to the alt. There is continuity b/t these points, however the wires do nor go through the relay but rather are comon post connections. The 2 wire connection on top of the alt is 3 volts on the red wire, this I understand is the exciter wire. When I check the battery v w/o the engine running I get 12 v. no change w/the car running, so is not charging. The alt tests good(14 v) and the parts guy says it is internally reg. The wiring diagram shows an external reg. I realize that 2 regs would just series each other unless one went out. I guess I need to change the V reg, but I don't kmow if I should and more imp where it is. HELP!!
swallace
OK Guys! I figured out what the problem was. This car has been jacked around a lot and a lot of Budweiser wiring was done! If you go to a alt system w/an internal reg you must have 12 v to the field and 3 volts to the exciter circuit. In the old style this was done by the external reg and can still be done w/ the existing wiring. The easiest way to do it is to take the Red wire off the two wire plug and place it on the alt output/input. this puts 12 colts to the field and viola! it charges. Sunce I do not know who Budweisered on this i must carefully ck. the wiring it has had a lot of rewiring done to it. I am afraid that the ol wiring will be butchered up. Anyway teh alt is harging 14 volts now and when the batt got a full load it dropped to twelve. All is good.
swallace
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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