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Old Aug 10, 2011 | 10:58 AM
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Default Starting problem

After starting my 68, I let it idle for about 10 minutes while I was getting things together to go on a drive. When I came back out the car was off. Tried to restart but wouldn't. Jumped car to start again. This time it ran maybe 2 minutes and stalled out. Jumped it again and drove around block with no problems but once I put back in driveway it stalled again and wouldn't restart. Sounds like I need an alternator and regulator. Please let me know if I'm on right track or do I need to be looking at the battery or something else. Thanks.
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Old Aug 10, 2011 | 12:17 PM
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Sounds like possibly two problems. Why won't the car idle? It should not die sitting in your drive way.

Have you had the alternator tested?

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Old Aug 10, 2011 | 12:37 PM
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No have not had it tested. But will mostlikely have it tested later this evening when I get home. Do you think it is the alternator?
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Old Aug 10, 2011 | 04:00 PM
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Assuming it is standard points and coil, needs 6v to run? Could be you alt not charging battery. Have you tried to charge battery?
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Old Aug 10, 2011 | 07:01 PM
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It's a brand new battery. I did charge it after it happened once but died after 2 minutes of running.
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Old Aug 11, 2011 | 06:14 AM
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Before you do anything else check for gas in the tank
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Old Aug 11, 2011 | 07:26 AM
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Try starting it with jumper cables, check voltage with a volt meter after disconnecting the cables. If its lower then say ten volts, tap on the regulator. see if you get your voltage back.


Mine did the same thing a couple weeks back
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Old Aug 11, 2011 | 08:37 AM
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Dont start, or dont Crank, there is a difference?
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 08:14 PM
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did you replace the regulator or did tapping it fix problem
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 09:56 PM
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don't buy anything until you clean all the grounds, especially the short negative cable from the battery to the cross member or whatever just under the battery.........it wont identify very much by checking voltage at different points as those thin accessory wires can carry voltage but are not good enough to carry the amp load needed to crank the engine...the battery does that with its cables of either 2 or 4 gauge wire.....solves well over 1/2 the cars with slow cranking
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Old Aug 15, 2011 | 01:04 AM
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sometimes the headlights will be very dim when the beast isnt charging..more so than normal...just a quick field test.
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Old Aug 15, 2011 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by My1968Vette
did you replace the regulator or did tapping it fix problem
I tapped on mine while watching the voltage, it was low, then jumped to 15 volts and stayed for a min the dropped out again. indicating my regulator was bad so yes i changed it and it fixed my problem. if you dont have a volt meter turn on your head lights and see if they brighten when you tap it.
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Old Aug 15, 2011 | 01:09 PM
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Yes clean grounds are a must I agree, good luck
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