1980 Vette not charging battery
#1
Junior Member
SHOW GUEST
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1

New 120 amp. 3-wire alt., new Optima red top, replaced "main" ground wire, old one corroded to pieces. On start the volt meter only goes to 13 V. and drops as load is added. Checked alt. with digital volt meter and the alt. reads 12.2 V. Any ideas?
#3
Junior Member
APPRENTICE
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 18

[ATTACH=CONFIG]72[/ATTACH]
See the attached photo - check for 12v using a test light or meter on terminal "2" as in the diagram. With the key switched to "on", there should be 12v to energize the field and allow the alternator to charge. With the key "off", there should not be voltage here (or it will drain your battery). Hope this helps...
JD
See the attached photo - check for 12v using a test light or meter on terminal "2" as in the diagram. With the key switched to "on", there should be 12v to energize the field and allow the alternator to charge. With the key "off", there should not be voltage here (or it will drain your battery). Hope this helps...
JD
#4
Junior Member
JOURNEYMAN
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 25

it tested or put a known good alternator on your can and see if the problem is still there.
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Last edited by GSI_103909597067949305292; 03-23-2022 at 02:31 AM.