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El Camino charging.

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Old November 1st, 2014, 3:52 PM
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Default El Camino charging.

'83 El Camino - 305. New battery and just installed second replacement alternator (bench checked at store). All I show for output on both is 12.6V on my meter. What do I need to replace besides battery and alternator?
Old November 1st, 2014, 5:23 PM
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I'm unsure if the voltage regulator is integral to the alternator or a separate unit.
where are you checking voltage at, battery or alternator? You should check at both. If still just open circuit battery voltage at both, you need to check for power to the field coils. if you can locate a wiring diagram, I can help with the testing.

Last edited by tech2; November 1st, 2014 at 5:26 PM.
Old November 1st, 2014, 9:16 PM
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Other than the BATT post there's a two wire terminal which Chilton says is an integral voltage regulator connector - the Delco SI series for which I have a schematic. I've been measuring voltage at both battery and alternator post, using the frame for ground. Both show 12.6V - same as a fully charged battery which it is since I've been using the charger every day. That would mean the alternator is doing virtually nothing. When I watched the bench test at O'Reilly, it showed 14.7V output.

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Old November 2nd, 2014, 1:51 AM
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Is it a 4pin connector with 2 small wires and 2 unused spots and then the batt cable? what wire colours do you have a the alternator and in what sequence
Old November 2nd, 2014, 10:20 AM
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It's a two pin only connector - facing forward, one brown on the drivers' side of the alternator; the other red on the passenger side - both on the two pin connector.
Old November 5th, 2014, 8:32 PM
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do you know how to do voltage drop tests of the insulated and grd circuits?
Old November 7th, 2014, 4:05 PM
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Did the voltage drop tests, everything turned on 2000 rpm - positive -0.02 negative -0.03. Cleaned both battery posts and cable ends - 13.3V at idle, no change with increased rpm.

Last edited by olderndirt; November 7th, 2014 at 5:25 PM.
Old November 7th, 2014, 8:50 PM
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where did you put your leads for each test?
Old November 8th, 2014, 2:14 PM
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Voltmeter + to Alternator B+/Voltmeter - to Battery + result -0.02V

Voltmeter - to Alternator case/Voltmeter + to Battery - result -0.03V
Old November 17th, 2014, 8:04 PM
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you did the test perfectly. Sorry I couldn't be more help.


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