Charging Troubleshooting
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Charging Troubleshooting
OK- I'm trying to figure out why the alt/regulator just don't want to work.
Battery is almost fully charged-amp meter shows discharge when I turn on the lights while running and of course my meter is reading only 12.15 volts at about 750 to 1500RPM- no change.
I just tonight replaced the voltage reg and still no luck. I'm looking at the 65 Service Manual and it shows the regulator as being grounded. I put my meter on it and it's not? Should it be? It wasn't BEFORE I replaced it. I replaced the wiring harness a couple years back and haven't changed anything.
Any ideas?
TIA-
Richard
Battery is almost fully charged-amp meter shows discharge when I turn on the lights while running and of course my meter is reading only 12.15 volts at about 750 to 1500RPM- no change.
I just tonight replaced the voltage reg and still no luck. I'm looking at the 65 Service Manual and it shows the regulator as being grounded. I put my meter on it and it's not? Should it be? It wasn't BEFORE I replaced it. I replaced the wiring harness a couple years back and haven't changed anything.
Any ideas?
TIA-
Richard
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 10
From: Woodstock GA
Yo Richard,Theres a Car show at Hooters in Kennesaw off 41/293 from 10 to 2.Thought I would pass the info on.
On My 65 my ground wire was burnt into. I had no charge ...
Put on a ground wire and now all is fine.mine is grounded to
to the radiator support.
I will not be at the show tomorrow...
Honey doos.
Mark
On My 65 my ground wire was burnt into. I had no charge ...
Put on a ground wire and now all is fine.mine is grounded to
to the radiator support.
I will not be at the show tomorrow...
Honey doos.
Mark
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Bill-
I was trying to go by the troubleshooting guide in the shop manual- rather than just throw parts at it. I searched the Forum and found a couple of threads where it was more than likely the Voltage regulator-so that's what I replaced first...Thought it might be something else since the Alt is not that old.
Mark-
I've got a newer harness - and supposedly the ground is on the rad support- ground is fine there- Alternator is grounded- but in one diagram it shows the case of the regulator seeing a ground. I hit it w/ my meter and no continuity to ground. Looking at the wiring diagram it shows a ground wire-which hasn't been on the car since I've owned it. And the charging system has worked in the past.
I've checked the wires for continuity and everything else checked out. I'm going to try a ground jumper.
If I fix this problem-I'm probably will drive over to the "Tucker Days" car show in "Downtown Tucker" on Main Street this afternoon.
Richard
I was trying to go by the troubleshooting guide in the shop manual- rather than just throw parts at it. I searched the Forum and found a couple of threads where it was more than likely the Voltage regulator-so that's what I replaced first...Thought it might be something else since the Alt is not that old.
Mark-
I've got a newer harness - and supposedly the ground is on the rad support- ground is fine there- Alternator is grounded- but in one diagram it shows the case of the regulator seeing a ground. I hit it w/ my meter and no continuity to ground. Looking at the wiring diagram it shows a ground wire-which hasn't been on the car since I've owned it. And the charging system has worked in the past.
I've checked the wires for continuity and everything else checked out. I'm going to try a ground jumper.
If I fix this problem-I'm probably will drive over to the "Tucker Days" car show in "Downtown Tucker" on Main Street this afternoon.
Richard
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Scranton Pennsylvania
I just had a similiar problem with my 63. Over the past two years, I've replaced the alt. and regulator twice. A few weeks ago, I put a new Optima battery in the car. Taking it for a test drive,I noticed that my gauge was almost always reading full charge. I stopped a local gas station and they tested the alt. and said that it was putting out way too many amps. I went to advanced auto bought a new alternator and voltage regulator. Prior to installing both, I stopped at my mechanics garage. He is restoring a 69 camaro. I noticed that the Camaro had a ground wire attached to the voltage regulator. Mine did not. I've had the car 5 years and I never noticed the ground wire. While installing everything, I added the ground wire. That was about 3 weeks ago and everything has been fine . My gauge now reads charge for about five seconds when I start the car. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Well- I tried a ground wire and still no charging. I guess I'm going to pull the alt and see if they can check it at the Auto Parts store.
I hope that's it!
I hope that's it!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 10
From: Woodstock GA
There is a Gentle men off Church St in Marietta.75 N exit Hwy 5 go West . 1st traffic light turn right,cross R/R tacks and He is in an Old building onthe left.Can't remember the name but he can rebuild originals.
Ge is only open Mon thu Fridays.Maybe take the reg and the Alt and have tested.
He can adjust the old mechanical V/R's too.
Mark
Ge is only open Mon thu Fridays.Maybe take the reg and the Alt and have tested.
He can adjust the old mechanical V/R's too.
Mark
Last edited by VetteRed1965; May 9, 2009 at 03:24 PM.
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
