not charging?

[astrohog]

Hi all! I have owned my 1971 240 for just over 3 weeks now. I am having some kind of charging problem. I just replaced both battery lugs with new and have a new battery. When I drive, the amp meter is positioned just barely to the plus (charge) side of the gauge. When I use the blinkers, it oscillates with them. When I turn on hte headlights, the amp meter jumps just to the negative (discharge) side of the gauge and definately starts draining the battery.

Should I take the alternator out and have it tested?

Should I just disconnect, and clean and reconnect every electrical connection under the hood? ( I eventually plan on this, but was gonna do it as I had time or replaced the components with new.)

I am not too electrically inclined, so this one kinda has me stumped. Would less-than-perfect connections be enough to cause the weak electrical condition, or is it more likely one specific component? i.e. alternator, etc.

Thanks for any help you mave have!!

Regards,

Astrohog

[zbane]

I would suggest trying this: with the car running, disconnect the battery. If the car dies, it is most likely your alternator. As you probably know, the alt not only recharges the battery while you drive, it also powers all the electric stuff in your car. From what you said about your voltmeter moving, it sounds like the alt is giving up the ghost and letting your battery do all the work.

I'm sure others will chime in on this, I hope they have better suggestions than I do as to how to rectify the problem.

david

[a7dz]

Could be the voltage regulator as well. Might be time to upgrade to the zx alternator. Gets rid of the external voltage regulator and charges at a higher amperage. These older cars have a marginal charging system to start with and if they electrical load has been increased you fight the charging system.

[a7dz]

Get a volt meter and measure the voltage across the battery terminals while the car is running it should be some where around 13.5 to 14 volts. If it is not you are correct to have some one check the alternator to see if it is charging at the correct out put.

[ChrisA]

Jim beat me to it.....

Hi Jeff,

Couple of things you can check.

Do you have a multimeter? You can get a cheap one at any autoparts store.

Put the meter on the battery with car not running. Note the reading.

Start the car and note the meter reading again. Should be 14 or more volts.

If the meter shows a good reading, then turn on the lights, heater etc. Note the reading again. Rev up the motor while all the goodies are on and note the readings you get on the meter.

If the voltage drops its most likely the alternator or the voltage regulator is

bad. The regulator is the box beside the alternator on the inner fender.

You could clean the connections at the alternator and the regulator and try the meter reading again. Might be a dirty connection or loose connection.

Much luck,

Chris A.

[ggarrard]

Another suggestion while cleaning the plug connections at the alternator is to remove the bakelite cover (2 small philips screws) where the wires plug into the alternator and remove/check the brushes. I have found that after the car sits for a while (winter storage) a quick cleaning of the brushes with some sandpaper always improves the alternator output.

GWGarrard

[astrohog]

thanks for the advice so far....guess this is a good excuse to get a multimeter and learn to use it!!! Probably get lots of use out of it in the future!!!!

Regards,

astrohog