engine and drivetrain '72 Tii Electrical Issues

[PaulTWinterton]

Under the voltage regulator on the left front fender is a ground as well. It's fastened with sheet metal screw into the fender. Clean contact areas, and through-bolt for better ground and connection.

Did you check the ground under the voltage regulator? I could be loose and/or corroded badly. Direct link to gauges.

[nutbehindthewheel]

Mitch -

 

Ground is fairly simple

 

First, if battery not grounded to engine, no cranking...

 

Chassis ground easy to test, use test light - pos cable to chassis -

That tells you it at least works

 

- didn't know ungrounded alt would burn it out, does it occur fast ?

I would guess battery would run down first and you'd fix.

 

- maybe ground affects fuel/temp gauge, but there are other likely causes

[Mitch_M]

Alright I think I figured it out. So I met my dad - the man I learned everything I know about cars from - for breakfast this morning. Was running everything by him. As I go to leave, car won't start. Thankfully I parked so that I was facing downhill in the parking lot in case this happened so he pushed be and I popped the clutch to get her started. Swapped out the new VR for the old one. No more jumpy gauges. No more starting problems. I was looking at them and they're totally different. I don't know how I didn't notice it when I first swapped them out.

 

IMG_0578 by mtmorto, on Flickr

 

IMG_0579 by mtmorto, on Flickr