1974 Buick Other Electrical

Tiny
JIMMYJ68
  • MEMBER
  • 1974 BUICK
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 48 MILES
Has been hard to start last few days. Almost like battery is dead but will start very quickly when jumped. Alternator checks good. When head lights are on turn signals will blink very, very slowly are not at all. The battery and alternator are only a couple years old. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks
Thursday, October 30th, 2014 AT 6:30 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Was the alternator tested in the car or out of the car?Because from what you said with the head lights on the turn signals blink real slow. Is that with the engine running?
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Thursday, October 30th, 2014 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
JIMMYJ68
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes with the engine running. I took the hot post off of the battery and it continued to run. I've always understood that to be a to test the alternator.
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Thursday, October 30th, 2014 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
HAVE MR. BATTERY TESTED AT A POPULAR AUTO PARTS STORE (I'VE SEEN BATTERIES RIGHT OFF THE SHELF BE BAD)

THIS IS USUALLY A FREE SERVICE

IF IT IS DEEMED NON-SERVICEABLE

YOU MIGHT TRY THIS OR SIMILAR ON YOUR SUPER PHONE OR COMPUTER BEFORE YOU JUST BUY ONE RIGHT THEN. SEE MY LINK

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2001-dodge-neon-milage-just-want-put-fliuds-their-locations

BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE YOUR HOUSE

GO THRU THESE SUGGESTIONS, THIS IS MANY TIMES THE SOLUTION, WITHOUT SPENDING $$$. SEE THIS LINK AND THE 5 PICS AT THE END

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-chevrolet-tahoe-wont-start-sounds-dead-battery-jumpbox-get-same-reults

RETURN WITH GOOD NEWS!

THE MEDIC

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Thursday, October 30th, 2014 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
JIMMYJ68
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Great. Thank you
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Thursday, October 30th, 2014 AT 7:22 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
DIDN'T MEAN TO JUMP IN BETWEEN YOU AND "SAT", IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO HUNT AND PECK AND SEARCH FOR MY OLD ANSWERS BEFORE I SUBMITTED

BACK IN '74 AND ON BACK, SNATCHING THE CABLE OFF WHILE IT WAS RUNNING USUALLY HURT NUTHIN', AND WOULD INDICATE MR. ALTERNATOR WAS ALTERNATIN'

JUST AS A GOOD PRACTICE

DON'T DO IT ANYMORE!

USE A VOLTMETER TO CHECK THE BATTERY POSTS W/ CAR OFF/ AND THE SAME PLACE WITH IT RUNNING

OFF SHOULD YIELD AROUND 12 - 12.5 VOLTS DC

RUNNING SHOULD BE BETWEEN 13.5 - 14 VOLTS DC IF THE ALTERNATOR IS WORKING

HOWEVER, THIS IS ONLY A VOLTAGE TEST (USUALLY GOOD ENOUGH) MR. BATTERY REALLY NEEDS A "LOAD TEST" TOO, TO INSURE ALL IS GOOD. YOU CAN BUY A DEVICE TO CHECK THIS TOO, IT'S JUST MUCH EZier TO LET THE AUTO STORE DO IT

WHY NOT SNATCH A CABLE WHILE IT'S RUNNING?

THESE NEW FANGLED ALTERNATORS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS CANNOT HANDLE THE "SPIKE/ SURGE" THIS WILL DO TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON MORE MODERN CARS. ATTEMPTING TO BE A GOOD SAMARITAN FOR FAMILY MEMBERS/ FRIENDS MIGHT BE COSTLY. NOT TO MENTION HOW THEY MIGHT NOT SPEAK TO YOU FOR A WHILE!

SURELY YOU DON'T WANNA HAVE TO BUY A $100+ ALTERNATOR OR A $500+ COMPUTER, NOT TO MENTION TOW BILLS/ DIAGNOSTICS/ LABOR JUST 'CAUSE YOU DIDN'T WANNA BUY A $5 VOLTMETER DOWN AT "HARBOR FREIGHT"

I'M DONE "GENERICALLY" PREACHING

KEEP US INFORMED ON YOUR PROGRESS!

THE MEDIC
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Thursday, October 30th, 2014 AT 7:41 PM

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