Charging question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
Charging question
I have an 81. It has been running fine , but today the charging light started coming on, as well as the choke light. When I rev it up the light gets brighter... real bright, at idle the choke light is off but lights up along with the voltage/charge light. The nominal voltage of the battery seemed fine 12.1 and the voltage went to 13.9 -14.1 with the engine running. I have not had the battery load tested, but it could have a low cell pulling too much load and causing the condition. Does anyone know if the voltage monitoring circuit will do that if it sees a heavy draw on the syatem? Or any other ideas?? Thanks!! Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Yea thats about right without looking it up. The main thing is the cgarge light, if it is on it means you probably have a bad diode in the alt. Annother indication is voltage output, anything in the 12z range and it will not charge the battery
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
81pilot
At an idle, 1 volt above battery voltage is ok. The reason for the charge light coming on may be the lack of amperage output. It is possible to have enough volts or pressure but not enough amperage or electron flow. The rectification circuit may have one or more bad diodes. Can you pull the alternator and bring it to a parts store for testing?
At an idle, 1 volt above battery voltage is ok. The reason for the charge light coming on may be the lack of amperage output. It is possible to have enough volts or pressure but not enough amperage or electron flow. The rectification circuit may have one or more bad diodes. Can you pull the alternator and bring it to a parts store for testing?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
I agree. It is showing 14.8 volts or better and the charge light is real bright, I think an internal diaode went Kaputt in the regulation circuit inside the alternator.. I will run it down and get it checked tomorrow. Alternators are cheap all things considered and a snap to change....Thanks guys!!
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
