I am dangerous
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
I am dangerous
I am so non-mechanical sometimes I amaze myself. I can get stuff done, it's just that it doesn't come natural to me.
After spending 2 days wrestling with my p/s pump and belts, and taking off the alternator and putting it all back together twice, I finally half gave up and put it back the best I could (not perfect) and tightened everything down and started the vette up.
1. Immediately the idle was very high, maybe 1500 - 2000 rpm, I punched the gas but couldnt get it down. Pulled off the air cleaner, checked the linkage... it seemed to be returning reluctantly, got back in the car..... pulled the rubber floormat away from the gas pedal
... idle returns to normal.
2. So i don't go for a test drive, but run the engine in the driveway, goose the rpm up to 4000, I still get a little belt squeal but no clatter. Test drive needed later.
So... this morning for some reason I am thinking about the whole job, putting back the p/s pump, belt, generator... and I have NO memory of hooking up the wires to the generator. But I ran the car! Went down and checked... No wires hooked up. Yeah, car can run on battery alone for a while.
Good thing I don't get paid for this... especially by the hour
After spending 2 days wrestling with my p/s pump and belts, and taking off the alternator and putting it all back together twice, I finally half gave up and put it back the best I could (not perfect) and tightened everything down and started the vette up.
1. Immediately the idle was very high, maybe 1500 - 2000 rpm, I punched the gas but couldnt get it down. Pulled off the air cleaner, checked the linkage... it seemed to be returning reluctantly, got back in the car..... pulled the rubber floormat away from the gas pedal
... idle returns to normal. 2. So i don't go for a test drive, but run the engine in the driveway, goose the rpm up to 4000, I still get a little belt squeal but no clatter. Test drive needed later.
So... this morning for some reason I am thinking about the whole job, putting back the p/s pump, belt, generator... and I have NO memory of hooking up the wires to the generator. But I ran the car! Went down and checked... No wires hooked up. Yeah, car can run on battery alone for a while.
Good thing I don't get paid for this... especially by the hour
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,927
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
That sounds like some of the "mechanics" that work on my DD. 
My wife does this ALL the time. 
She'll say "I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the car takes off on me!" Twice already she's pulled off the road and called trying to somehow blame me! 
She doesn't believe me when I tell her it's her floor mat that she pushed up under the dashboard.
1. Immediately the idle was very high, maybe 1500 - 2000 rpm, I punched the gas but couldnt get it down. Pulled off the air cleaner, checked the linkage... it seemed to be returning reluctantly, got back in the car..... pulled the rubber floormat away from the gas pedal ... idle returns to normal.
She'll say "I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the car takes off on me!" Twice already she's pulled off the road and called trying to somehow blame me! She doesn't believe me when I tell her it's her floor mat that she pushed up under the dashboard.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Don't feel bad..at my age CRS has crept in big time...so I make a check list....
Did you check your belts with a straight edge? That's how I solved my problem...my alt/steering belt was off 3/16" pulley to pulley...that put a bind on P/S pump....
Rich
Did you check your belts with a straight edge? That's how I solved my problem...my alt/steering belt was off 3/16" pulley to pulley...that put a bind on P/S pump....
Rich
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,703
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Originally Posted by Jughead
That sounds like some of the "mechanics" that work on my DD.
My wife does this ALL the time. She'll
she's pulled off the road and called trying to somehow blame me!
.
My wife does this ALL the time.
She'll she's pulled off the road and called trying to somehow blame me!
.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Originally Posted by mooneyd
Cars with the old generator set up can also run without a battery. 
Cars with an alternator will run with out a battery also. Disconnecting the positive cable on the battery with the engine running is a way to test if the alt. is charging.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Northern NJ
Originally Posted by kevinator80
Cars with an alternator will run with out a battery also. Disconnecting the positive cable on the battery with the engine running is a way to test if the alt. is charging.
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