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Dodge Dart charging problem...complete mystery in my 66
My 1966 Dodge dart 225 recently had a smoking battery problem. I purchased a new battery, put in a new voltage regulator, had the alternator tested (it tested good at two different store locations) and started up my car. She started right up with no problems, but when I looked at my ammeter, it was sitting right in the middle of the line, not charging at all. I pulled the negative battery cable and the car died instantly.
I am at a loss as to what could be causing my battery to not charge. I have checked all my wires and connections so they're clean and tight. As I stated, I replaced the VR, the battery and the alternator. I checked the fuse at my positive battery cable and it doesn't look like it has blown.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to something I may have missed?
I am at a loss as to what could be causing my battery to not charge. I have checked all my wires and connections so they're clean and tight. As I stated, I replaced the VR, the battery and the alternator. I checked the fuse at my positive battery cable and it doesn't look like it has blown.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to something I may have missed?
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Comments
Don't go by the dash gauge. You should be using a simple voltmeter.
If you are buying these parts from a large discount outlet, you have about a 1 in 10 chance of getting a bad one. If you go to NAPA the odds go up considerably.
Did you put the voltmeter on the battery with the engine running. What voltage did it register as you raced the engine?
Today it's probably a toxic waste site. I'm serious.
About 40 guys sat at long filthy tables overhauling these units. They replaced only what was needed to make them work and nothing else.
After the units had been "rebuilt" they were polished up and painted to look good...and they did!
At the time, I think they sold the generators and alternators for something like 12.00 and the starters were 15.00.
They also sold "rebuilt" car batteries for 10.00.
To rebuild one they turned them upside down on a heavy screen that was on top of a 55 gal drum. After draining the acid, they would beat on the bottom of the batteries with a mallet to dislodge anything causing the plates to short out.
New acid, an hours charge, a polish job and a new decal and you were good to go!
I think they offered something like a 30 day warranty on the stuff they sold. Hey, we were young and broke and sometimes the stuff actually would work for awhile.
This place also sold "reclaimed" motor oil. If you brought your own bulk container I believe it was 15 cents a quart!
After about the third time immigration agents raided the place, it shut down.
The place was a far cry from a NAPA store!