Hesitation on starting after driving

[Dave Fehrle]

I have noticed that after I drive for 5-10 miles or more and then shut off the car, it hesitates when I go to start? Anyone experience this before and if so, what was the fix?

[Jason Edge]

Alternators will only produce what is required, and as I recall most alternators actually only produce up to about 2/3's the rated amperage under normal rpm/driving anyway. So with that 55 amp factory alternator it might be producing say up to 30 amps max at any moment under extreme max current draw load.   This is why the factor 10 gauge alternator to battery (secondary charging) wire is sufficient ... but one reason why I wanted to move away from the considerably smaller 14 gauge Heartbeat City sources wires reproduced for the 1969 Camaro, and get M&H to produce wires with the correct factory 10 gauge. (I guess even back then, the Cadillacs were pulling much more power than the average Camaro or Mustang). 

So, with that 100 amp alternator, unless you are installing a Giga-Splat-Velocity-Blaster in the trunk that draws 50+ amps you are  probably never going to draw (ie. the alternator produce) anywhere near 100 amps.  If you have the mega-amp-mega-power-draw sound system (that rivals the soundstage at an AC/DC concert), then you might want to get M&H to fabricate a cable with a thicker alternator wire (8 ga, 6 ga, 4 ga, etc).  

[Dave Fehrle]

Latest update! Had alt rebuilt to 55A and installed tonight. Took a few minutes to start after sitting 6 weeks and no GEN light on while running! As you can see from the pic, fixed my over charging while running! Now for the new battery cables. 

[Dennis P. DiBari]

Great work Dave.  It's great when GEN light goes out and it's not overcharging.  I remember going through that last year.  

Dennis DiBari

[Jason Edge]

Dave, That is great news. If your car is wired correctly, removing the battery cable while running is a quick & easy way to find out if the alternator is working. I actually just ordered a couple of rebuilt alternators through AutoZone today as I had a $45 reward to use, and like to keep a couple of them ready to go on the shelf.