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Charging Problem

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Old Jul 7, 2013 | 09:53 PM
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Default Charging Problem

Hi
I would like to know what the amp meter should read on my 66 327/350 motor. My gauge stays either at 0 or left of zero most of the time and occasionally goes just to the right of the 0.
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Old Jul 7, 2013 | 10:34 PM
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That's normal
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Old Jul 7, 2013 | 10:57 PM
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It should dip negative if you turn on the headlights or heater fan to high. If you discharge the battery it will read high when you get it running, but with a good battery, it stays around zero. It's not really reading amps, it's reading a difference in voltage between the horn relay and the starter.
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by 65GGvert
It should dip negative if you turn on the headlights or heater fan to high. If you discharge the battery it will read high when you get it running, but with a good battery, it stays around zero. It's not really reading amps, it's reading a difference in voltage between the horn relay and the starter.
I'm having a problem with the car after I take it out and drive some where if I turn it off for a while it doesn't want to start. It's happened twice one time after about 10 minutes of fussing with it I walked away came back and it started right up the other time I had to jump it.
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
That's normal
I'm having a problem with the car after I take it out and drive some where if I turn it off for a while it doesn't want to start. It's happened twice one time after about 10 minutes of fussing with it I walked away came back and it started right up the other time I had to jump it.
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by pats67copo
I'm having a problem with the car after I take it out and drive some where if I turn it off for a while it doesn't want to start. It's happened twice one time after about 10 minutes of fussing with it I walked away came back and it started right up the other time I had to jump it.
could be a locked starter due to heat soak or a bad solenoid, however you are not providing enough info for a diagnosis....
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 08:48 PM
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I installed three different Voltage Regulators before I found one that actually and consistently charged my battery. Before that I could not venture far home as the car was hard to restart until the battery rested. Too many electronic parts coming from China, IMO.
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by pats67copo
Hi
I would like to know what the amp meter should read on my 66 327/350 motor. My gauge stays either at 0 or left of zero most of the time and occasionally goes just to the right of the 0.
Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
That's normal

It's normal to show a constant discharge? I don't think so. Anytime the needle is to the LEFT of zero you're discharging your battery. Something is definitely wrong with the OP's charging system.

Jim
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Old Jul 8, 2013 | 09:42 PM
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Measure with a voltmeter the battery voltage across the terminals with the car off. Then start the car and measure again. You can tell if it's charging.
When the car doesn't start, do the other electronics still work, lights, etc?
When you say it won't start, does it turn over and not run? Does it click? Does it do nothing? If it does nothing, does the volt gauge swing hard left? The last symptom was one I had and the starter solenoid was bad.
Post some more info on your symptoms. The car not charging doesn't explain why it would start later. You could also have a bad battery. Need some more info.
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Old Jul 9, 2013 | 09:32 AM
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New addition to the family???????
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