Thread: 69 Chevy Woes
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  #3  
Old February 13th 05, 04:36 AM
Ralph D.
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"Comboverfish" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Ralph D. wrote:
> > In-law has a 69 Impala w/327. He has two problems that he thinks are
> > unrelated, but can't explain either. I think they are related... but

> can't
> > explain it nonetheless.
> >
> > Issue 1:
> >
> > This thing started blowing condensers at odd times (meaning no

> pattern).
> > Might take a day... might take a week... but sooner or later it will

> blow
> > the condenser. These are new, not used and the car runs and performs

> rather
> > well otherwise. They just up and quit.
> >
> >
> >
> > Issue 2:
> >
> >
> > 5 minutes after parking, the alternator light comes on. The

> alternator light
> > does not come on while operating nor upon turning off the ignition...

> only
> > about 5 minutes later. It does come on when the key is turned to on

> before
> > cranking, so it appears to function correctly. The Kicker... every

> now and
> > again this thing drains it's battery, but when testing has no spark

> when
> > striking a cable to terminal suggesting no grounded short.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Here's what I think... but what the hell do I know:
> >
> >
> >
> > I think that when the engine is shut down with the points closed it

> is
> > letting the battery back-feed through the condenser somehow. I have
> > absolutely nothing to support that theory except for a guess, and

> have not a
> > clue as to how I would suggest he go about pursuing that theory. And

> forget
> > anyone over there taking anything to a garage as they'd feel like

> someone
> > castrated the family jewels at the mere suggestion that among them

> they
> > can't fix every problem with every auto.
> >
> > Anyhow... They are going to drop a HEI distributor in it and deal

> with the
> > light separately, but I'm guessing they'll end up popping modules

> next. He
> > says he has another alternator around, but I'm wondering if there

> isn't
> > something external to it involved.
> >
> >
> >
> > Suggestions?

>
> I would deal with it as if the two may be related (hope). I would
> check Key Off battery current drain with a DVOM hooked between a
> removed battery terminal and the corresponding battery post. There
> should be next to no drain on an old vehicle like yours unless you have
> electronic addons that have key off memory. If you find an unusually
> high draw, carefully unhook the wires to the alternator (remember
> they're still hot) Actually, this may have an external regulator (the
> car is older than me) but just unhook anything alternator/regulator
> related. If the draw goes away you can rightfully assume that the
> regulator or rectifier (wherever it is) is finding a path to ground for
> B+.
>
> I don't know enough about condensers (capacitors) to know what causes
> one to fail, but I would make a WAG that too much current finding it's
> way through one to ground could be the cuplrit, or excessive voltage
> 'bouncing' from defective points or incorrect dwell setting.
>



Well, see that's the unfortunate part... I *am* old enough to remember, but
I can't. I do remember when some cars didn't have accessory positions on the
ignitions and parents squawked not to run the radio with the car in the on
position because it would ruin the condenser... I don't know just why... but
if this thing is somehow backfeeding the condenser from the battery it would
build and discharge and wahlah a delayed light. But I just don't remember
enough about how it all worked.





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