Hi guys,

I few weeks back I had problems starting my 75' Vette - the battery had run down and I went and got it checked out. The parts store told me that the battery was fine, so I decided on getting a reconditioned alternator. Anyways, after fitting it, the car ran fine for about a week or so. I went to start her up yesterday and the battery was dead again . I'm not sure what to try now, as I don't want to keep running the battery down as they're kinda expensive. I reckon it must be one of thes following problems, so I'm going to try to resolve them one by one:

1) Bad points or wiring - I'll replace all of the points i.e. between the battery terminal, and the connectors into the alternator.

2) Something else running the battery down. Some idiot tried to steal the radio a while back (damn leaving the T-tops off!) and pulled the radio (including most of the wiring) out of the car. The radio is still plugged in, could it be losing the juice here?

3) Alternator belt not tense enough. Like the muppert that I am, I chose to fit the alternator myself, and should had somebody help me tension the belt, so it might not be pulling hard enough.

You guys are always a great help, so any other ideas to help me out would be great!

Craig

 

I had the same problem with a '75 - it was the battery. I didn't get an
Optima but an Interstate that had more cranking and storage power.
Worked great - you just need more cranking power than a standard
battery. Perhaps that could solve your problem.

 

Cheers PetKah,

That's certainly a thought......what cranking and storage info spec did you get on your interstate battery?

Many thanks in advance,

Craig

 

If the thing starts good for a week or so, then gets harder and harder, it sounds like your not getting it recharged while its running. Do you drive it bit? Check the voltage at the alternator running at idle and again at around 2k, same at the battery. It should be somethinl just under 14 to recharge the battery, If its just over 12v you have a charging problem.

 

The Interstate battery I got was a MT-75. It has 650 CCA - I believe
that means cold cranking amps. Then 815 CA - which I believe means
storage. With my old standard battery after it would finally start if
I took a short trip and stopped the alternator which not have enough
time to recharge the smaller battery - then another starting problem.
And, of course, look at the battery straps with a flashlight to make sure
they are 100% on the battery itself.

 

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info there, that's been a great help. I'll probably go and get the battery charged up, and check the voltage at the battery and alternator whilst running as suggested. That'll give me some indication of what's wrong. Why the hell did I buy such an unreliable toy?!?

I don't drive the Vette that much, probably just a couple of times a week so if the alternator wasn't getting properly charged, it would have time to drain the battery.

Thanks again.

Craig