Pile of Parts
Posts: 38
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2018 8:23 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA
Continued Charging system troubles
It is a 1964 C900 with a 4-152.
It began with my battery constantly being dead after driving. I checked the alternator output and found it was only 12.15 or so, and didnt compensate for load at all. As of now I have replaced the alternator, battery, voltage regulator, battery cables, starter solenoid, and ignition switch. Currently, the alternator is only putting out about 12.17 V (when I replaced everything, it would put out about 12.5 compensating for load.)
Is it possible my new voltage regulator has gone bad, I didn't replace the capacitor, but wasn't sure if it could cause this issue. Is there a good way to check the voltage regulator?
What seems like a significant issue to me, is that my ignition switch often will not start the truck. The ammeter dips to zero when I attempt to start it, but if I jump the starter with a screw driver, it starts without issue. Is there possibly a short in the ignition circuit which is draining the battery?
Would it be simpler to install a one wire alternator instead of using an external voltage regulator?
Thanks
1987 Subaru RX-Turbo
2017 Subaru WRX