Help with scots 82 race car (electrical experts HELP!)
03-08-2004, 02:17 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Help with scots 82 race car (electrical experts HELP!)
Hey folks, we are trying to get Scots car back in race shape, but its pesky electical issues are getting us down.
we measure, 12.5 volts on the oddessy battery, down to 9-10volts on start up, and then a constant 9.5 amp draw to keep it running. (funny, same as when the ignition key is turned on and the engine is NOT running as well!) pull the ground wire and the engine dies. reve up to 3k and pull the wire and the engine dies. when running, voltage is a solid , 11.9volts. (well under the 13.5 or 14 my S4 sees when running)
sounds like an alternator issue, but would it be so cut and dry??? could there be a fuse, relay or connection that we could be overlooking, or is it an obvious
Thanks
Mark (and Scot G. in the Weisache race car!)
we measure, 12.5 volts on the oddessy battery, down to 9-10volts on start up, and then a constant 9.5 amp draw to keep it running. (funny, same as when the ignition key is turned on and the engine is NOT running as well!) pull the ground wire and the engine dies. reve up to 3k and pull the wire and the engine dies. when running, voltage is a solid , 11.9volts. (well under the 13.5 or 14 my S4 sees when running)
sounds like an alternator issue, but would it be so cut and dry??? could there be a fuse, relay or connection that we could be overlooking, or is it an obvious
Thanks
Mark (and Scot G. in the Weisache race car!)
03-08-2004, 02:43 PM
#3
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...as long as the alternator is *excited*!
It won't kick in unless properly excited. If excitation is the problem, look for a bad connection from the alternator back up to the resistor behind the pod.
It won't kick in unless properly excited. If excitation is the problem, look for a bad connection from the alternator back up to the resistor behind the pod.
03-08-2004, 03:55 PM
#4
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Mark,
Sounds like the alternator, plain and simple. But there could be another issue, If it is the bosche alternator there should be a ground strap from the alternator to the frame of the vehicle , I replaced my Paris Rhone with the Bosche and thought I had a bad one , but it turns out that the mounting holes are rubber isolated so you need a ground strap from the case of the alternator to the frame of the car.
in any event taking it to the local car parts store to be tested should tell you wether it is bad or not.
If its a Paris Rhone , replace it with the Bosche, save ya about 150 bucks just remember to keep the pully from the old one and buy a ground strap to bolt to a case bolt of the alternator and the frame of the car.
Z
Sounds like the alternator, plain and simple. But there could be another issue, If it is the bosche alternator there should be a ground strap from the alternator to the frame of the vehicle , I replaced my Paris Rhone with the Bosche and thought I had a bad one , but it turns out that the mounting holes are rubber isolated so you need a ground strap from the case of the alternator to the frame of the car.
in any event taking it to the local car parts store to be tested should tell you wether it is bad or not.
If its a Paris Rhone , replace it with the Bosche, save ya about 150 bucks just remember to keep the pully from the old one and buy a ground strap to bolt to a case bolt of the alternator and the frame of the car.
Z
03-08-2004, 07:06 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks! (scot's says thanks too)
we will yank it and see what we got !
then, finally off to the dyno one of these days to check the car when it is running right!
MK
we will yank it and see what we got !
then, finally off to the dyno one of these days to check the car when it is running right!
MK
Originally posted by Zandramus
Mark,
Sounds like the alternator, plain and simple. But there could be another issue, If it is the bosche alternator there should be a ground strap from the alternator to the frame of the vehicle , I replaced my Paris Rhone with the Bosche and thought I had a bad one , but it turns out that the mounting holes are rubber isolated so you need a ground strap from the case of the alternator to the frame of the car.
in any event taking it to the local car parts store to be tested should tell you wether it is bad or not.
If its a Paris Rhone , replace it with the Bosche, save ya about 150 bucks just remember to keep the pully from the old one and buy a ground strap to bolt to a case bolt of the alternator and the frame of the car.
Z
Mark,
Sounds like the alternator, plain and simple. But there could be another issue, If it is the bosche alternator there should be a ground strap from the alternator to the frame of the vehicle , I replaced my Paris Rhone with the Bosche and thought I had a bad one , but it turns out that the mounting holes are rubber isolated so you need a ground strap from the case of the alternator to the frame of the car.
in any event taking it to the local car parts store to be tested should tell you wether it is bad or not.
If its a Paris Rhone , replace it with the Bosche, save ya about 150 bucks just remember to keep the pully from the old one and buy a ground strap to bolt to a case bolt of the alternator and the frame of the car.
Z
03-09-2004, 02:08 PM
#6
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Yes, I had alternator issues last year and that junk Rhone is gone in favor of a Bosch. In my case, the exciter wire had a small break causing some issues, towed the car twice because of it.