My dad has a 72 Chevy pickup with a 350. The motor has been changed and it has an electronic ignition that has the built in coil on the distributor. The wiring is a mess and we are getting things back in order. The question is this, When you pull out the switch for the lights, the amp gauge does not move. It has 14V while the motor is running at the battery and if you pull one of the battery leads the motor shut down. From my experience the motor should stay running. Is this the topical thing with electronic ignitions?
He has other problems with fuel gauge not working, it did at one time, but it has just quit. The running and brake lights as well are week. I will be checking the ground wires and where they mount.
Any info would be good if there is a problem when the leads are disconnected and shutting down.
Im only visiting my parents place till tomorrow so any info would be great.
Thanks
Correction, the alternator with motor running shows only 12.20V. With the motor off there really isn’t any difference at the battery, well actually 12.30 with it off. It has an external regulator and even at that the voltage regulator only 12.20 motor running.
He took the alternator in to have it checked and they said it was putting out 14V What is up with that.
Would this have anything to do with a field wire?
Again any help would be great!
After doing more wire fixes, we got the amp gauge to work, but still only 12.20V at the battery when running. When the lights are turned on the amp gauge dips and the voltage at the battery drops to 12.1V. I checked the voltage right at the alternator and no difference than at the battery. Would you say the alternator is bad? It has a new voltage regulator and new battery.
Just for the record, I did fix the trucks electrical problem. There was supposed to be two smaller wires going to the starter. The large one from the battery was obviously connected and one from the starter. Well there was also to be one that came from the starter for the coil and it was not connected, Other wires were disconnected as well. So now my dad is happy and everything works!