frankthetank
Contributor
Posts: 680
Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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06-19-12 12:43 PM - Post#2239166
Problem #3, as I pulled in to the garage last night the damn generator light came on in my 63 so I turned it off and turned it back on and it fired up like nothing no prob. Went back out right now and it still fires up like nothing but the light is still coming on as well, I'm baffled
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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kingkreeton
Contributor
Posts: 474
Loc: Wilmington NC
Reg: 04-15-11
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06-19-12 12:46 PM - Post#2239168
In response to frankthetank
Take a volt meter to the battery and see what it reads while the car is running. You alternator/generator (not sure what you have) may be going bad. Post the reading.
Shane
64 Impala SS: 350 4 speed |
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cowfarmer350
Senior Member
Posts: 898
Loc: New Zealand
Reg: 02-03-01
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06-19-12 03:01 PM - Post#2239198
In response to frankthetank
also make sure the earth wire from the regulator has not come loose
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impala
Senior Member
Posts: 1142
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Reg: 07-13-00
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06-19-12 04:03 PM - Post#2239228
In response to frankthetank
Lacking a volt meter a simple test is to disconnect either battery cable with the engine running. If it stalls then the alt. or reg. is bad.
The fact that the car is starting means nothing as it will continue to start until the battery finally goes dead (assuming a bad alt./reg.).
impala
61 Impala Convertible, AACA senior
94 Jaguar, XJS, V12 coupe
11 Silverado
03 Impala Sedan |
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frankthetank
Contributor
Posts: 680
Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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06-19-12 04:46 PM - Post#2239241
In response to impala
It was my water pump belt. Trying to figure out how to get the power steer pulley belt off to get the water pump pulley behind it and into place. It's a 350 with the alternator on drivers side.
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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impala
Senior Member
Posts: 1142
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Reg: 07-13-00
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06-19-12 05:17 PM - Post#2239250
In response to frankthetank
The ps pump is in a bracket that has two or three bolts you need to loosen to get it to rotate. Check out the shop manual or the link (sticky) posted here.
impala
61 Impala Convertible, AACA senior
94 Jaguar, XJS, V12 coupe
11 Silverado
03 Impala Sedan |
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frankthetank
Contributor
Posts: 680
Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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06-19-12 07:46 PM - Post#2239295
In response to impala
Ok I got it on there. I would of never found those two bolts back there, thanks.
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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kingkreeton
Contributor
Posts: 474
Loc: Wilmington NC
Reg: 04-15-11
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06-21-12 03:49 AM - Post#2239725
In response to frankthetank
Did you get it fixed?
Shane
64 Impala SS: 350 4 speed |
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frankthetank
Contributor
Posts: 680
Loc: Lodi California
Reg: 02-22-11
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06-21-12 07:41 AM - Post#2239766
In response to kingkreeton
Yes sr, I'd never had to change out belts before at all so until it was mentioned to me on here how to loosen the power steering pump I was stuck! The two bolts holding it onto it's bracket are a bit of a pain to get to.
1963 Chevrolet impala sport coupe
2006 Chevrolet silverado crew cab 2wd |
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roccaas
Contributor
Posts: 647
Loc: Savannah, Georgia
Reg: 05-01-11
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06-21-12 09:27 AM - Post#2239798
In response to impala
Disconnect battery from a running engine?
I always heard that without the battery in the loop (even if fully discharged) as a "buffer", the Alternator would ramp up above 20 volts, blow through the Voltage Regulator and Fry the electrical components. Has newer technology eliminated this danger?
For the good old American lifestyle: For the money, for the glory, and for the fun... mostly for the money.
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impala
Senior Member
Posts: 1142
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Reg: 07-13-00
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06-21-12 02:28 PM - Post#2239861
In response to roccaas
It's just a momentary thing. As soon as you lift the cable the car will either stall or keep running.
Won't hurt a thing.
Glad he got it sorted out.
impala
61 Impala Convertible, AACA senior
94 Jaguar, XJS, V12 coupe
11 Silverado
03 Impala Sedan |
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MajesticsCanada
Member
Posts: 362
Loc: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Reg: 08-27-06
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07-04-12 06:56 PM - Post#2244586
In response to impala
if it stayus running wwith the battery disconnected does that mean the charging system is working good?
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junky
Contributor
Posts: 924
Reg: 06-27-10
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07-04-12 07:50 PM - Post#2244605
In response to impala
It only takes a moment to blow out a diode in an alternator. I never tell someone else to do something that could be harmful to their car. Sometimes you are lucky, and get away with it, and other times you don't. I would hate to have someone pointing the finger at me, saying that I took your advise, and it cost me an alternator. It is OK with a generator, since a generator is like a motor, and doesn't have any parts in it that can be damaged.
Never argue with an idiot. He'll drag you down to his level, then beat you with experience.
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 bowtieollie
ChevyTalk Subject Matter Expert
Posts: 20902
Loc: See the USA in your Chevr...
Reg: 12-06-99
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07-05-12 11:50 AM - Post#2244755
In response to impala
Lacking a volt meter a simple test is to disconnect either battery cable with the engine running. If it stalls then the alt. or reg. is bad.
I love advice like this! 
Do you realize that when the battery is disconnected, the voltage spike can approach 40,000 volts in the vehicle system?
Sooooo - if you have a nice radio or any other electronic equipment - it could very well be TOAST! 
This is an "old timer" trick that needs to stay back when vehicles had generators and NO electronic equipment.
You would not catch me DEAD removing a battery cable while the engine is running....
Bowtieollie
Chevytalk.com Moderator |
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impala
Senior Member
Posts: 1142
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA USA
Reg: 07-13-00
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07-05-12 03:04 PM - Post#2244820
In response to bowtieollie
I would be interested in seeing the data that a 50 year old Chevy with a 35 or 45 amp alternator (less at idle) can put out 40,000 volts. Yes the secondary system puts out that kind if voltage to the plugs but that has nothing to do with what we're talking about here. "Momentary" means just that, less than a second.
Certainly don't do it on more modern cars but we're talking about a very low powered system.
I must have gotten lucky in the last 40 some years to have never suffered the effects of the killer 40,000 volt spike!
impala
61 Impala Convertible, AACA senior
94 Jaguar, XJS, V12 coupe
11 Silverado
03 Impala Sedan |
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mpris
Contributor
Posts: 161
Loc: Concord, N. C. USA
Reg: 01-26-02
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07-05-12 04:23 PM - Post#2244844
In response to impala
I believe most publications state that a spike of up to 150 volts can be induced into the wiring of the car if the battery cable is removed while the vehicle is running. This is enough to fry some sensitive electronic components in today's cars. These same spikes can be introduced by loose or dirty battery cables, so make sure to check those cables regularly.
Poocho
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bowtieollie
ChevyTalk Subject Matter Expert
Posts: 20902
Loc: See the USA in your Chevr...
Reg: 12-06-99
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07-05-12 06:11 PM - Post#2244893
In response to impala
I have GM Engineering data.
Using an oscilliscope, we measured close to 40k volts when the battery was disconnected and the engine was running (alternator equipped).
It was a huge transient voltage- that could do some serious damage with today's technology. It has nothing to do with secondary ignition voltage.
Most of these cars today - are now equipped with electronic ignition as well as modern radios.
This test may have worked in the pre-alternator days - but I certainly would not recommend it today.
Times change along with technology. The service methods must also change to prevent the creation of new problems during the repair process.
Bowtieollie
Chevytalk.com Moderator |
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 62chevy427
"7th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1516
Loc: laurens sc
Reg: 04-13-06
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07-06-12 09:59 AM - Post#2245112
In response to roccaas
you could do that on older cars. absolutely do not do that on computer controlled cars. much smoke can be released doing that. just remember-they only have so much smoke in them and when it is gone,it will not work anymore. actually,the voltage spike will kill the computers.
56 bel air ((since 2002)
62 impala ss (since 1965)
65 el camino (since 1969)
66 nova (since 1987)
67 malibu convertible (since 1981)
72 el camino ss454 (since 1985)
83 gmc 4wd (since 1991)
95 impala (new)
11 malibu (new) |
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bowtieollie
ChevyTalk Subject Matter Expert
Posts: 20902
Loc: See the USA in your Chevr...
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07-06-12 02:10 PM - Post#2245192
In response to 62chevy427
Hello 62,
And we both know how hard it is to get the smoke back in the black box once it is let out! 
Amazing work that smoke does.... 
Bowtieollie
Chevytalk.com Moderator |
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doubleE
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3694
Loc: Eagan MN
Reg: 06-02-03
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07-09-12 05:10 PM - Post#2246308
In response to bowtieollie
A 40,000 volt spike was most likely caused by a capacitor discharging somewhere in the electrical circuit. It would only be there for a split second but long enough to do damage to todays electronic devices.
Eric
| Proud owner of
My Blue 62
Impala SS |
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slo
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2010
Age: 30
Loc: Houston Tx
Reg: 03-16-08
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07-10-12 09:34 AM - Post#2246551
In response to doubleE
hmm on mine sometimes. only when i start it it stays on untill i tap on the gas a bit...
1964 Impala SS
1964 Impala station wagon
1953 chevy 210
2005 Silverado |
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kingkreeton
Contributor
Posts: 474
Loc: Wilmington NC
Reg: 04-15-11
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07-10-12 09:42 AM - Post#2246555
In response to slo
Mine did that as well until bought a new wire harness that was modified to do away with the external voltage regulator and replaced the alternator with a internally regulated one. My voltage gauage stays at 14 now no matter how many RPMS the engine is producing. The voltage readings used to jump around a little depending on RPMs.
Shane
64 Impala SS: 350 4 speed |
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doubleE
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3694
Loc: Eagan MN
Reg: 06-02-03
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07-10-12 03:37 PM - Post#2246707
In response to slo
hmm on mine sometimes. only when i start it it stays on untill i tap on the gas a bit...
Interesting you should say that. A couple weeks ago I returned home from a show and stalled the car in the driveway. When I went to start it she wouldn't turn over - battery was all but dead.
Put the charger on over night and it's been ok since but I have been keeping an eye on the volt meter. When first started it only reads just over 12 volts (although the gen lite goes off). I have to rev it over 2500 rpm before the needle snaps to 13.5 volts. Maybe it has always done this. Have others noticed this?
PS the battery is around 7 years old so I guess it's time 
Eric
| Proud owner of
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Impala SS |
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