Alt guage Behavior

[goldduster]

On my 1970 Plymouth Duster with a 318, when I step on the gas, the alt guage peggs on the +40, but then backs off to about +20 if i keep my foot in the same place . My battery is not fully charged. please tell me if this happens to you guys.

[hemivaliant]

My ammeter on my '72 Challenger shows a high reading right after I start it. After a few minutes is settles down to around normal. Of course this depends on the charge of the battery.

For your car it appears to be pretty normal if in fact your battery isn't fully charged. If it does this all the time once the battery is charged I'd suspect the regulator as being bad. Something else could be defective in the charging circuit too. It could be something as simple as the regulator not being properly grounded or something as complex as a defective alternator.

Check the output of the alternator with the engine running at approx. 1200 RPM. At the battery you should see anywhere from 13.8 to 14.4 volts.


HV

[LA360Dart]

Hi Goldduster;

Hi this problem could be the 10 pin connector in the wireing loom on the passenger side of the engine. The connector does have a history of over heating ( mine was melted ) the car ran and had a similar charging problem. The easy fix is to route the heavy gauge wire out of the loom. Make as few patches as possible( one wire is best ). Also Check the connector on the firewall to make sure it's clean and ok, it can also melt. Hope this helps