Hello Everyone, I finally took my 64' Riviera out for a full shakedown run last night and was thrilled by how it performed. At one point I noticed the dash lights dimming and the turn signal indicators acting real slow then the headlights were dimming. I got home and waited awhile and tried starting the car and it was dead, starter barely turning over but all lights came on, clock worked etc. I measured the battery voltage and it was over 12V. I had put the charger on prior to going out to make sure I was fully up there. The alternator is a Power Master and is about 6 months old as is the voltage regulator which I got at the local parts store. I had the car in for some service last month and they said the alternator tested good but this sounds like an alternator problem. Is there anything else to look at? I use a disconnect on my battery and had replaced all dash bulbs, cleaned as many grounds as I could find etc. awhile ago. Any basic tests to run using a digital volt/amp meter? Battery is an Interstate 60 month 2 years old. Thanks. Slim
The parts store should be a ble to test the starting system if you drive it up there. THey'll be able to tell you what is the bad part.....but it does sound like an alternator. I had a voltage regulator that acted funny too for about 3 years. I finally just replaced it and all my electrical gremlins went away.o No:
Thanks for your reply and suggestion. I would hate to think it was the alternator since it was new and not rebuilt but who knows?
I replaced the regulator on my Skylark and it cleared up a few "gremlins." The best part was the price: 13.49 for a Sorensam unit that uses solid state electronics instead of the unreliable points contacts. I also re-installed my original cover ( Sorensam unit was a bit different) so no one will know of the changes. Russ Waters 1970 Skylark Convertible 455
Russ, Thanks for the tip. What store did you get the regulator from? What I found today was a poorly connected wire (main voltage feed) to the back of the alternator. the wire was jumbled up with others under some electrical tape and I decided to undo it and clean the mess up. Did a contiuity test from one side to the other and that was that! I guess it's time for the solid state regulator now just for reliability sake. Lou
You might try full fielding the alternator, by bypassing the regulator. If the voltage rises, the regulator is likely the culprit. Nudging the throttle will help the voltage, but be careful. The alternator will have no controls, and it could be damaged by overcharging. You might also check the grounds to everything; if something was left disconnected, the result could be a no-charging condition.
