Old School electrical question..

[ClskMstg]

OK.. we are talking 1965 stuff here...

As you know.. my convertible left me stranded the other day... I had had the alternator checked to rebuild... ok, bad voltage regulator... replaced that... everything else ok.. .battery included.

If you test my system.. the alternator is only putting out 12.2 volts or so, and it needs to be 14..

Took the car back to the shop that checked the alternator, he rechecked it and said that it was ok... he has told me that the "Alt" light on the dash is not working, and I need to replace the bulb. Evidently, that light is part of a circuit, and if the bulb is out.. the circuit is open, and the alternator can not send the voltage it needs to send to other places..

OK..

Just checked the bulb... it's ok... replaced it anyway... not working. Wires look good, grounds that I can see look ok... I replaced the starter silonid ( sp) on the inner fender... still no change. I have been told that I wired the alternator back ok..

Where would you check next?

Starter switch?

HELP!

[mln385]

This might be totally off base Andy but is your belt slipping? How about the chance of an underdrive pulley?

One last thing does the voltage go up if you rev the engine higher?

Marc

[ClskMstg]

If the belt were slipping... there would be *some* power to the light..

For some reason... I have no power, or a short somewhere...

[a02stang]

the thing about the light being tied into the electrical system...i have seen that...but only on older gm cars. if you have a DMM....check to see if there is any AC voltage comming to the battery....if it is excessive....it will cause a drain on you battery. Meaning bad diodes in your alternator

[V6RoushVert]

I know this sounds kinda kooky but check out your floor dimmer switch. I have seen a lot electrical problems stem from there. Those things are in a bad place with wet, sand ...etc always on them.

Good Luck,
Jon

[Shay]

I know you probably already replaced it.....but what about your voltage regulator not being a good one. I know the "repro" ones are junk.

[ClskMstg]

I know you probably already replaced it.....but what about your voltage regulator not being a good one. I know the "repro" ones are junk.

The one that was on it was original.. not bad for 40 years... I replaced it with a 65 repo that Jim had, and no change..

Jim things its a starter switch... I have one coming.. will be Tuesday before I can put it in... Sucks... weather like this and I can't drive the car... but, getting stuck on the side of the road is something I don't want to do again.. I may look like a street whore, but... I don't care to be one..

[what's that?]

At this point, if you car isn't a complete restoration, origionality isn't that important. If you are fixing your electrical system, this is the time to upgrade to newer, more common parts.

My 64 1/2 had a generator on it. I wanted to get rid of that boat anchor, but it kept working, so it stayed.

My 67 went through 3 origional style starters before I got smart and installed a smaller and lighter late model truck starter.

I think there are junk yard upgrades for the electrical system, like an altrenator from a 80's mustang or crown victoria. I think there is a company that makes an entirely new wiring harness for the early mustangs. I think it's about $600, but that's worth it to have an entirely new system.

[ClskMstg]

Well... after some trial and error.... After unplugging the front engine harness from the fire wall, checking connections, and doing the same thing at the voltage regulator... I cranked the car, and now the alternator is working, but the alternator light on the dash will not go off..

Back to the alternator/starter shop.. they tested the alternator... working... putting out like 13.8 volts... light on dash is dim... swapped voltage regulators... light went off, volts went up to 14.2.

Hooked it up.. went back to Jims garage... found an old voltage regulator with cob webbs... hooked that up.. car working fine..

Take the car out... drive it... sputters after 10 min of driving.... coast down HWY70 for about a mile to a gas station... car won't start... put in gas... still wont start... getting spark... no crank. Jim comes to my rescue again.. we put gas in the carb to get it started.. after 20 min.. finally cranks... I start back home.. make it 3 tenths of a mile.. dies in the middle of the road..

Jim tows me back to the garage... long story short.. the fuel line coming out of the tank had pinched... We replaced it... tested the fuel pump.. it was bad... replaced that.. the car is fine.

Lots of little crazy things... stranded twice.. With the help of a good friend.. I think it will be ok.

Thanks for the advice.