Gentlemen,

In the last week or two, I've been noticing that when pulling up to stop light (low RPM) my headlights dim slightly, as do the instrument panel lights.   I suspected that I should replace my voltage regulator, which I did today.  15 minute job.  No big deal.

However, when I started the car, at idle, the GEN light came on and stayed on until I pressed on the accelerator just a bit and the GEN light went off, and stayed off as I drove the car.  

As I approached a stop light, when the RMPs dropped off, the GEN light came on again.  When the light changed and I started to accelerate, the GEN light went off.  The cycle repeated itself.

So, because the wife doesn't know how look it takes to change the voltage regulator :-D, I drove over to the nearby auto parts store, bought a new alternator (I figured because why not..perhaps the old one was beginning to fail), and installed a new one.

When I started the car, the same thing with the GEN light continued:  idle = GEN light.  increasing the RPMs = NO GEN light.    And, it appears the headlights at low RPM dim even more than before I changed the Voltage Regulator and the alternator.   UGG!

I checked the ground on the voltage regulator and the ground appears to be solid.

The only thing I did not change in this circuit was what appears to be a variable resistor of some sort??? See below with the ARROW.  

Any thoughts about what might be going on????  Could it be that the new voltage regulator I installed is bad?

Michael

Views: 197

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Here it is with the new voltage regulator.   As I consider (obsess) this problem, it seems to me it either has to be this, the ground, or a bad voltage regulator, no?

Here’s a video of the problem.  Also, should ‘t the GEN light be on when the ignition key is in the ACC (eg radio only) position?https://youtube.com/shorts/8l7K_IuMIAA?feature=share

Thanks Mark.   I’ll give it a shot.

I put the old voltage regulator back on and the GEN light has gone off and I’m no longer having the problem.  Go figure.

i’m certain I need a new voltage regulator as the head lights are flickering and dimming slightly at low RPM.

I inspected the black ground wire from the alternator to the voltage regulator and it’s old and the plastic coating broken in several place.  I was considering running a new ground wire and trying out the new voltage regulator again. 
Of course, I could throw in the towel and take the car into my mechanic, but what’s the fun in that?

RSS

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Forum

Modern radio antenna …

Started by Mack in 1963/64 Cadillac Specific Discussion yesterday. 0 Replies

Just replaced radios for the modern radios with Bluetooth and all the dance things and wanted to share how I went around the antenna knob… I’ve installed a regular two way GM window switch in the…Continue

BOOT

Started by John Inglesby in 1963/64 Cadillac Specific Discussion. Last reply by Marty Smith yesterday. 1 Reply

I recently purchased a new boot for my 64 convertible and was wondering how difficult it s to install. I'm not very mechanical. It looks like the chrome piece behind and at top of seats needs to be…Continue

63 Exhaust Hanger Mystery

Started by Mike Travers in 1963/64 Cadillac Specific Discussion. Last reply by Cees de Bunje on Monday. 8 Replies

I'm in the process of installing a stainless steel single exhaust from Classic Exhaust on my '63 Coupe de Ville. I'm running into a mystery regarding my middle exhaust bracket. I have the bracket…Continue

TH400 Dipstick Tube Seal

Started by Logan Robb in 1963/64 Cadillac Specific Discussion. Last reply by Logan Robb on Monday. 9 Replies

In my “rebuild” of the transmission, I ordered a dipstick tube seal. However, I’m not sure if the right one came or how to best install the seal. I am wondering if anyone has replaced this seal OR…Continue

Blog Posts

Loud air moving sound within carb with cleaner removed

Posted by Dave Fehrle on March 23, 2024 at 3:23pm 8 Comments

While checking my Carter carb with engine running, I took the air cleaner off and there was a very loud hissing sound of air. I placed a piece of paper over the carb and it didn’t move up or down, is this normal?

Vintage Air AC

Posted by Chase on March 21, 2024 at 5:55am 0 Comments

Hey everyone, has anybody done a Vintage Air AC/Heat setup in their car? I want to bypass the old vacuum setup and go with a Vintage Air Gen 2 model. Before I get started, does anyone have any experience with this? (Which model to go with, do’s and dont’s, etc.) It looks pretty involved. Any and all info/pics would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

accumulator dryer

Posted by CHRIS CARLSON on December 6, 2023 at 10:54am 0 Comments

Who rebuilds original AC  accumulator dryers for 1964 Cadillac? I have been on Classic auto air in Tampa FL wait list for over a year ,  There is one on Old air products web site that looks very similar to the original # 21-4214A but states it fits 1962 Gm cars, The one recommended for a 1964 Cadillac is half the length 21-4215A    What  is everyone using ? I would prefer to be as original as possible. Thanks

'63 Eldorado trumpet horn + 2 standard horns restoration

Posted by Les Eastling on November 15, 2023 at 10:34am 1 Comment

My son, unbeknownst to me, had all three of the horns on our 1963 Eldorado completely restored. We had recently added the Eldorado trumpet horn to the two standard horns and the sound was not very good... we had heard good ones so we knew something was not right... but there was not much we could do to get better sound from the 3 horns. 

There is a restoration service called The Horn Works who my son…

Continue

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

© 2024   Created by Jason Edge.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service