Voltage Regulator(?) Problem

[psychrage]

Hey all,

I just rewired my 71 Z with a 73 harness

It WAS working fine(with the exception of reverse lights(still working on figuring that out) and turn signals(pretty sure its the combo switch)

Anyways, tonight, I tried the start the car, there was a click sound(like the sound from the voltage regulator), and then nothing from the starter or anything, so i turned the key back to the Off position and there was another click from the VR.

I tried to start the car again, same thing. So then i tried just turning on the headlights, VR clicks again, and i have no lights or anything. Turn the lights off, theres a click again from the VR.

So i get out and pop the hood, turned on the inspection lamp, click, no light, turn light off, click...

So i got upset, went inside for about 30 minutes, came out, inspection light comes on, cool! but then i try to start the car same thing. Then i wiggled the battery cables around, and somehow that fixed it, car started, ran great.

2 hours later, same thing.

Is my VR bad? or should i check something else?

[sblake01]

If you have a voltmeter, check the voltage (on the terminals not the battery posts) before you try to start the car or attempt to turn on lights etc. The check it after you turn something on and hear the 'click'. If the voltage changes drastically, clean your battery terminals and posts and make sure they're tight enough so you can't move the terminals on the posts. Then see if the problem persists.

[EScanlon]

...snipThen i wiggled the battery cables around, and somehow that fixed it, car started, ran great.

2 hours later, same thing.

Is my VR bad? or should i check something else?

If you can "wiggle" your battery cables around, THAT'S more than likely the problem.

As Stephen pointed out, check the voltages.

I'm betting that you need to remove the cables, give the posts a good scrub with a wire brush (that's why they make that little post brush tool) as well as the cables and then tighten properly. If the cables are so warped/distorted that they cannot clamp down properly, or if the battery posts are so worn then replace the worn items.

FWIW

E