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1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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DWSorboen
Novice
Aug 25, 2013, 2:51 PM
Post #1 of 15
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1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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1965
Chevy
Corvair
110HP
Mileage unknown
It starts fine and at idle things appear to be normal with the voltage gauge reading about 12, but when I turn on the headlight the voltage gauge dips to 10 and puts an ever so slight strain on the engine. When I put it in gear, the voltage gauge drops to 10 and as I turn things on ie lights, turn signals, hi beams it pegs below 10 and the engine takes a dip in rpm to where it might stall. I know nothing about electrical issues, but my first gut reaction is the alternator. Before I go to an Advanced Auto or Auto Zone to get it tested (is that a wise choice or should I go to an actual shop for this?), I was wondering if there was anything special I should tell them about a Corvairs alternator? I have heard that there is something unique about them. Something about being wound the opposite direction of a regular alternator? Are they tested the same exact way as a normal alternator or does something different have to be done to get the proper readings?
Thanks in advance for your advise.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 25, 2013, 3:02 PM
Post #2 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Have the battery charged and tested first and then see what the charging voltage is with a digital meter only after you have a known healthy battery.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DWSorboen
Novice
Aug 26, 2013, 6:09 PM
Post #3 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Thanks for reminding me to keep it simple and eliminate the easy things first.
I will charge up the battery the next chance I have.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 26, 2013, 6:11 PM
Post #4 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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The keyword there was "test", not just charge.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DWSorboen
Novice
Sep 7, 2013, 10:59 AM
Post #5 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Sorry for the downtime, but had some other pressing issues to attend to.
Had the battery tested, seems to have a bad cell (it was a 60 month battery at the 5 year mark).
Bought a new battery and installed it. At first it registered about 13 volts.
Then I started the corvair and at idle once it warmed up the volts read a little below 12. Turned on the headlights and it dropped a hair below 10 volts.
Turned on high beams and it dropped to I would guess 8 (gauge only goes down to 10.
Put it in Drive and idles at 11 volts, with lights on drops to about 8 and the high beams kills the engine.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Sep 7, 2013, 11:32 AM
Post #6 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Obviously the charging system is not working. You should be seeing 13.5 to 14.8 volts at idle with no accessories on.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DWSorboen
Novice
Sep 7, 2013, 11:40 AM
Post #7 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Thanks.
So the next step is to have the alternator tested, correct?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Sep 7, 2013, 11:42 AM
Post #8 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Yes
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DWSorboen
Novice
Sep 7, 2013, 11:46 AM
Post #9 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Any idea/guess how far I can drive this in the condition it is in now to get it tested?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Sep 7, 2013, 11:48 AM
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Probably about 30 minutes depending on how much electrical load is turned on.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DWSorboen
Novice
Sep 7, 2013, 11:53 AM
Post #11 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Thanks, I should only need 5-7 minutes each way. I will make sure the battery is charged before I go.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Sep 7, 2013, 12:16 PM
Post #12 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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I don't know what you are planning but you already know the charging system isn't working. What you need to find out now is why. It could be alternator, fuses, fusible link or wiring.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DWSorboen
Novice
Sep 7, 2013, 12:21 PM
Post #13 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Trying to get it to AutoZone to test the alternator.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Sep 7, 2013, 1:23 PM
Post #14 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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Unless you are removing the alternator from the car to test, they can't tell you any more than you already know.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Sep 7, 2013, 3:12 PM
Post #15 of 15
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Re: 1965 Chevy Corvair electrical issue
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No telling with this car but it should be EXTERNALLY voltage regulated - a box on firewall area,
T
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