MoparGuy68
Well-Known Member
How can a Charger really be a Charger, if it cannot Charge? In addition to always having to charge its battery with a Schumacher charger in the garage, with the lack of charging, it really can’t even charge forward all that well. My goal is to discover why this Charger has been chargeless for years, and get it charging in a respectable manner again, like it once did when the original owner drove this 1971 383 Magnum powered Mopar home in October of 1970.
At this point, from my research thus far, I predict that the reason for being Chargeless is due to electrical modifications by previous owners that were done incorrectly and/or very badly. Age of wiring and connectors could also be a contributing factor.
Previous owner said alternator and voltage regulator were replaced several times over the years, and each time charging would occur, but for a very short lived time. It would always soon return to the chargeless state it’s in now..
The last professional mechanic to troubleshoot the charging system on this car decided somehow, in his ultimate wisdom, that he should install a FORD voltage regulator on the car. I don't know what he expected a Fix Or Repair Daily voltage regulator was going to do for the car except butcher the factory wiring harness.
So this is the state of the current system. Ford regulator, 1972 and later style Chrysler alternator rated at 65 AMP current output. Electronic ignition, with factory style distributor and a single style ballast resistor. Fusible Link is present at starter relay. All gauges in instrument cluster function INCLUDING the dreaded AMMETER gauge.
Alternator was remanufactured less than four years ago, when its tested output was 66 amps at 2000 RPM, and 87 amps at 6000 RPM. NAPA battery purchased new exactly 3 years ago, rated at 1000 CCA at 32 F and 800 CCA at 0 F.
At this point, from my research thus far, I predict that the reason for being Chargeless is due to electrical modifications by previous owners that were done incorrectly and/or very badly. Age of wiring and connectors could also be a contributing factor.
Previous owner said alternator and voltage regulator were replaced several times over the years, and each time charging would occur, but for a very short lived time. It would always soon return to the chargeless state it’s in now..
The last professional mechanic to troubleshoot the charging system on this car decided somehow, in his ultimate wisdom, that he should install a FORD voltage regulator on the car. I don't know what he expected a Fix Or Repair Daily voltage regulator was going to do for the car except butcher the factory wiring harness.
So this is the state of the current system. Ford regulator, 1972 and later style Chrysler alternator rated at 65 AMP current output. Electronic ignition, with factory style distributor and a single style ballast resistor. Fusible Link is present at starter relay. All gauges in instrument cluster function INCLUDING the dreaded AMMETER gauge.
Alternator was remanufactured less than four years ago, when its tested output was 66 amps at 2000 RPM, and 87 amps at 6000 RPM. NAPA battery purchased new exactly 3 years ago, rated at 1000 CCA at 32 F and 800 CCA at 0 F.