Electrical charging issues

Tiny
JIMBO81
  • MEMBER
  • 1974 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 5,347 MILES
I have been having an issue with the charging system in my vehicle. I purchased this vehicle from a lady online super cheap as it was not running and sat for three years. It was her husband's! He had turned this into a drag car so everything was gutted it was all motor no accessories. I went through and cleaned out the tank, fuel lines, new plugs, wires, dizzy, coil, cap, etc. Etc. I hand turned the engine to get it pre lubed it fired right up no hesitation! I then noticed voltage dropping every time I rev it or put a load on it. Cool! I bought new battery and alternator. Fired it up and took it out. Noticed drop in voltage again. At idle there is no drop only under a load! Now mind you, car was gutted, wires mickey moused and engine is from another unknown vehicle! I bet you are saying "go ask the previous owner idiot!" Lol I totally would if he was alive! He died with all the secrets to this build he had going. Anyways. I have the car idling poorly. Voltage is at 12.6v now I'm going to perform the test of alt. Or battery so I disconnected - terminal on batt and woke up a beast. I have high idle volts are at 15.2 and climbing so I shut it off and here I am. I don't know jack about electrical. Somebody please help!
Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 5:26 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

Do you mean you disconnected the battery while the engine was running? Really?

That is not a test of anything. You never do that as you can damage the alternator.

Please explain what you did to test the alternator?

Roy
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 5:34 AM
Tiny
JIMBO81
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What I did was I started the vehicle and I removed the negative side of the battery to see if the vehicle would shut off. If the alternator was bad it would shut off correct?
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 7:57 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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No, again that is not a test and can damage the alternator. Never ever do that.

Chances are the alternator is bad at this point. I would return the alternator and get a replacement and then retest.

Roy
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
JIMBO81
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I have the new one installed now!
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 9:10 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Okay, what is the charge rate at idle?

Roy
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 9:33 AM
Tiny
JIMBO81
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
It is at 12.2v at idle.
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 10:05 AM
Tiny
JIMBO81
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  • 9 POSTS
It's dropping every time I rev and put a load on.
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Make sure the belt is tight.

Roy
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
JIMBO81
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Update: well you're right it was the belt. While I didn't have a tight I had to go buy a new one and the old one was stretched. Problem solved 12 hours later thank you.
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
JIMBO81
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  • 9 POSTS
I hate electrical with the passion.
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
JIMBO81
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I do have another question for you. I have a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee special edition 4.0 L California emissions bank 1 sensor 1 it's pulling that p0031 I've changed out the O2 sensor twice now and check engine light goes out 10-15 minutes later it comes right back on same exact code.
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Glad to hear it is fixed. Good job.

As far as the other vehicle, site rules are 1 vehicle per question.

If you would go back to the beginning and start a new question, we will be happy to help you.

Roy
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
JIMBO81
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My apologies. Thanks a million.
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 3:49 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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No worries. We will just pick up on another thread.

Roy
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Sunday, December 22nd, 2019 AT 3:50 PM

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