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Electrical Problems..coil? alternator? other?


Guest Anonymous

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Guest Anonymous

Maybe somebody can help me troubleshoot this? I just did a 200 mile round trip in my 76 Auto, 32/36, points, otherwise stock.

First the "L" light started flashing. Then it came on pretty strong. When I slowed down it all acted normal, unless I revved her up, then the light came on.

So I kept going. Then the radio started cutting in and out (like power/no power), then it died completely. All during this the wipers (on intermittent) would sometimes cycle too fast, sometimes normal speed. Then NO wipers. Pulled over, fuses all OK. Then they started working, so I kept going. (It was raining, of course.) All the while, dash light intensity varying greatly, jittery gages too. I stopped at destination for 3 hours then had a really tough time starting it. But the battery seemed charged fine. It was difficult enough that I got gas without shutting it off! Drove 85 more miles without lights (on purpose) and using wipers as little as possible. Last 5 miles-ish wipers don't work again. Got to end of trip, fuses OK, but no wipers. I hope it starts so I can go home, but what on earth is happening??

Thanks,

John

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Guest Anonymous

Had a similar problem (on a long trip) and it turned out to be the voltage regulator. Hook a voltmeter to your wiring and drive around. From that you can tell what the alt/voltage reg. are doing.

Good Luck,

Mike (#87)

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Guest Anonymous

zenonverona73.jpg

URL: http://www.zeebuck.com/02bc/index.htm

based on similar symptoms I have seen. In that case, the turn signals would flash erratically as the engine was revved while the L light would come on at higher RPMs as well. DC voltmeter showed that the alt was putting out a normal looking 14V-ish up until the RPM where the light came on, but putting an oscilloscope ('cause I am a big ol' geek) on the alternator output terminal showed big AC voltage spikes likely resulting from a failed rectifier diode or two. The AC spikes explained the spastic turn signals (the stock '02 flasher relay is transistorized, at least fron '72 on).

Before replacing the alt, though, check all connections. Don't forget the battery terminals. If you have one handy, do try swapping in a known good regulator first. Also, be sure to check, scrape clean, and tighten all of the spade connections on the alternator and regulator harness plugs. That solved an intermittent charging problem on a friend's '02 recently.

Hope this helps.

regards,

Zenon

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Guest Anonymous

Your alternator is not keeping up with the load. The L light tells you when it happens. The radio cutting in and out is a classic first sign of falling battery voltage; a radio is typically more sensitive to low voltage than other accessories. When you say you had trouble starting it, I assume you mean that it was cranking very slowly, rather than it was failing to fire.

Check the big wires to the alternator. If those are OK, probably the brushes are worn out. You can do the test in Repair Manual to isolate the problem to the alternator or regulator.

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Guest Anonymous

pull on the ground wire's terminals to make sure the wire isn't frayed at the terminal...that's a common occurrance due to vibration. Also make sure the plug on the back of the alternator is insterted tightly. It's supposed to have a wire bail to hold it in place. This bail is often missing...if so the plug will tend to loosen up without actually falling out.

Mike

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