hey guys I'm in need of some help! I recently picked up an 83 hurst olds I'm trying to square a few problems away. It runs a bit rough and the battery is not charging. Even after a full charge on the battery the volt gauge in the dash never works. Is there something I should check before replacing the alternator? I know with my GN if the bulb goes on the battery indicator it won't charge and was wondering if this had a similar setup?
Help battery won't charge
- Thread starter Turbotrix2004
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Check voltage at the alternator with a dvm? Gauge may be bad? Ralley pack? Stock type alternator?
"the volt gauge in the dash never works." Doesn't work at all, or shows low battery voltage? Either way, take the alternator to a good shop and have it tested. If it's bad, get a new one. If it's good, it's back to the drawing board.
The volt gauge in the car never worked, I'm going to have it tested and go from there thanks
As stated I would start with a fully charged battery and then start your car and check your alternator with a digital volt meter at the output terminal on the back and if it is charging it should be putting out over 14 volts if it is only reading just over 12 volts then the alternator is either bad or not receiving a signal from the charge wire, if this is the case then take the alternator off and have it load tested at your local autostore.
Also thoroughly check your battery cables the rough running can be caused by too much resistance if the battery cables are corroded or wires are frayed and you end up with not enough voltage for the HEI to work properly.
I would also check and clean your factory ground wires.
Also thoroughly check your battery cables the rough running can be caused by too much resistance if the battery cables are corroded or wires are frayed and you end up with not enough voltage for the HEI to work properly.
I would also check and clean your factory ground wires.
I had this problem and it came down to this: the battery terminal wires were fried, the previous owner used a 307 from something else and it had an ignition switch, which I had to replace; lastly, the ground to the frame was not working. There is a second location to mount the ground on the opposite side.
I'm not sure if this applies to Olds, but my '83 Pontiac manual says with gauges, if the alternator is bad, the "choke heater relay" indicator should light up. It is the same function as the normal "idiot" light on non-gauge cars. Also check the fuse for the gauges.
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