HEEELP PLEASE '59 charging problem
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 4
HEEELP PLEASE '59 charging problem
I took the '59 out today, as I'm going on a 150 mile trip tomorrow, just to check that everything is OK.
I notice that the ammeter shows "0"... DARN........
Pull over at the first gas station, need to fill up anyway, stop the car and cannot restart... Luckily a friend shows up and jumpstarts me.
Drive back to the garage to work on the problem.
So I assume that since the engine runs the generator must be supplying voltage to the engine = generator OK.
I check the wires from the generator to the voltage regulator, all have connection, no broken ones.
OK, then, It must be the voltage regulator.
I change that with a new spare that I got, I polarise it per instruction and is ready to go.
I figure that I will charge the battery before starting, so I bring my Contour over and hooks up the Vette and let the Contour charge the battery.
After 10 min. I try and start the 59. Starts right away, BUT SAME PROBLEM???? WTH????
So what on earth is wrong with the system?
Generator keeps car alive when running = must be OK
Wires are OK, no broken ones.
Voltage regulator is new!
Battery can be charged and start the car = battery OK
Has anyone got an idea about what is wrong here????
What am I missing?
Thanks a lot!
Cruz59
I notice that the ammeter shows "0"... DARN........
Pull over at the first gas station, need to fill up anyway, stop the car and cannot restart... Luckily a friend shows up and jumpstarts me.
Drive back to the garage to work on the problem.
So I assume that since the engine runs the generator must be supplying voltage to the engine = generator OK.
I check the wires from the generator to the voltage regulator, all have connection, no broken ones.
OK, then, It must be the voltage regulator.
I change that with a new spare that I got, I polarise it per instruction and is ready to go.
I figure that I will charge the battery before starting, so I bring my Contour over and hooks up the Vette and let the Contour charge the battery.
After 10 min. I try and start the 59. Starts right away, BUT SAME PROBLEM???? WTH????
So what on earth is wrong with the system?
Generator keeps car alive when running = must be OK
Wires are OK, no broken ones.
Voltage regulator is new!
Battery can be charged and start the car = battery OK
Has anyone got an idea about what is wrong here????
What am I missing?
Thanks a lot!
Cruz59
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
You need to float test the generator
Take the generator off and go to the nearest large body of water, toss it in, if it floats keep it, if not replace it with an alternator.
Put a shunt (14G jumper) across the amp guage terminals, wire the alternator as normal to charge through the amp guage, but it will work better because ALL the current does not need to go through the guage. Alternators and generators are not really built to charge a dead or low battery. Also some BIG (like 2 guage) battery cable really helps due to the heat soak factor.
call this guy, www.madelectrical.com fix the car....enjoy the lack of (failure prone) originality.
Put a shunt (14G jumper) across the amp guage terminals, wire the alternator as normal to charge through the amp guage, but it will work better because ALL the current does not need to go through the guage. Alternators and generators are not really built to charge a dead or low battery. Also some BIG (like 2 guage) battery cable really helps due to the heat soak factor.
call this guy, www.madelectrical.com fix the car....enjoy the lack of (failure prone) originality.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 146
From: Chuckanut WA
Is it starting or Not starting now?? Not clear from your post.
It is normal for the ammeter to show 0 when battery is in fully charged condition. With engine running turn on headlights and you should notice the ammeter dip if you rev engine it should then move into the charge zone. If you turn out the headlights and as the battery is charged, the ammeter will once again move toward 0. If the generator is still not keeping the battery charged then it may need sevicing. If you are still having problems I would recommend taking the generator and regulator to a "Trusted" auto electric shop for testing on a test bench.
It is normal for the ammeter to show 0 when battery is in fully charged condition. With engine running turn on headlights and you should notice the ammeter dip if you rev engine it should then move into the charge zone. If you turn out the headlights and as the battery is charged, the ammeter will once again move toward 0. If the generator is still not keeping the battery charged then it may need sevicing. If you are still having problems I would recommend taking the generator and regulator to a "Trusted" auto electric shop for testing on a test bench.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 4
The car will start, as long as there is power on the battery.
But I can run it down by repeated starts and runs. But it just will not charge....
Turning on the lights doesn't change anything...
It's rock steady at "0", -no movement what so ever...
I had the "no charging" fault once last autumn and actually forgot about it again as it went back to working, but when starting up this spring, no charging at all!
Before that everything worked normal, with the gauge showing charging when driving, dropping a bit when going to idle...
But I can run it down by repeated starts and runs. But it just will not charge....
Turning on the lights doesn't change anything...
It's rock steady at "0", -no movement what so ever...
I had the "no charging" fault once last autumn and actually forgot about it again as it went back to working, but when starting up this spring, no charging at all!
Before that everything worked normal, with the gauge showing charging when driving, dropping a bit when going to idle...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 315
From: Scottsdale AZ
check the voltages
Car off, battery = (sb 12.6 to 12.8)
car running battery = (sb 13.6-14.8) from memory
you will probably need to rev the engine as a generator really doesnt charge at idle. (another reason to float test it)
could just be a plain bad battery, go get an optima (another modern day advance)
Plus the Jumper across the back of the amp guage is still a good idea, no reason why all that current needs to go through the guage
car running battery = (sb 13.6-14.8) from memory
you will probably need to rev the engine as a generator really doesnt charge at idle. (another reason to float test it)
could just be a plain bad battery, go get an optima (another modern day advance)
Plus the Jumper across the back of the amp guage is still a good idea, no reason why all that current needs to go through the guage
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 146
From: Chuckanut WA
Cruz;
The generator harness has a shielding jacket (woven wire covering) over it which must be grounded to the voltage regulator base and the generator case. Check these connections as it is essential to have this connection.
The generator harness has a shielding jacket (woven wire covering) over it which must be grounded to the voltage regulator base and the generator case. Check these connections as it is essential to have this connection.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 664
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Originally Posted by Cruz59
Turning on the lights doesn't change anything...
It's rock steady at "0", -no movement what so ever...
It's rock steady at "0", -no movement what so ever...
I am with John S 1961, alternators are the long term solution on "drivers". Especially the 10SI versions with the internal regulator which are so rebuildable, I can do it blindfolded if need be.
Plasticman
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
Likes: 4
Thanks for all the input! 
I brought the generator to a shop this morning.
Brushes and commutor are shot, the brushes were worn completely away
Luckily just a wear problem, guess that they didn't restore the generator when they restored the car... 
I'll get it back mid next week after repair.
I hope that this is the only problem, but before I put it back together again, I'm gonna check the gauge and the wiring.
I have a problem converting to alternator, since my tach is driven off the generator, then I have to source a tachdrive distributor as well, and I really like to look of the original setup when you pop the hood....
I really want to stay with the generator...
If they could use it for an everyday car 50 years ago, why cant I do the same today....well maybe not everyday...
Cruz59
I brought the generator to a shop this morning.
Brushes and commutor are shot, the brushes were worn completely away
Luckily just a wear problem, guess that they didn't restore the generator when they restored the car... I'll get it back mid next week after repair.
I hope that this is the only problem, but before I put it back together again, I'm gonna check the gauge and the wiring.
I have a problem converting to alternator, since my tach is driven off the generator, then I have to source a tachdrive distributor as well, and I really like to look of the original setup when you pop the hood....
I really want to stay with the generator...
If they could use it for an everyday car 50 years ago, why cant I do the same today....well maybe not everyday...
Cruz59
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 32
From: Sarasota Florida
Check Your Ground wires (straps)
Hi
I went through something similar in my 1963 Corvette....I couldnt figure out what it was......I worked on it for months new alternators, voltage regulators,rechecked wire,etc..I knew alternator was charging but was losing a charge once it started running..Frustrated and p*ssed off took it to a mechanic who found the problem out pretty quickly..
I forgot one thing.......Did you check to make sure your car is grounded properly? Corvette isnt the "best" car for grounding electrical parts....(Imagine that?)
That seemed to "fix" the very "expensive" and "time consuming" problem...
I went through something similar in my 1963 Corvette....I couldnt figure out what it was......I worked on it for months new alternators, voltage regulators,rechecked wire,etc..I knew alternator was charging but was losing a charge once it started running..Frustrated and p*ssed off took it to a mechanic who found the problem out pretty quickly..
I forgot one thing.......Did you check to make sure your car is grounded properly? Corvette isnt the "best" car for grounding electrical parts....(Imagine that?)
That seemed to "fix" the very "expensive" and "time consuming" problem...
