If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
69 Chevy Woes
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? |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Ralph D." > wrote in message ... > 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 have none...but do have fond memories of the 1968 Chevy Impala Custom Coupe I learned to drive on! Good luck with your question. I x-posed over to the GM NG to broaden the audience. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
>
> I have none...but do have fond memories of the 1968 Chevy Impala Custom > Coupe I learned to drive on! Good luck with your question. I x-posed > over to the GM NG to broaden the audience. > > > Oops, I mean 1969 Chevy Custom Coupe. The grandmother had a 1968 Biscayne..learned to drive that too (no power brakes or steering on that puppy though!) |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
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. Toyota MDT in MO |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
On Sat, 12 Feb 2005 15:07:07 -0500, "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. > > You have an alternator / voltage regulator problem causing #2 most likely. I'm not sure if the regulator was internal or still on the firewall in '69. If it is a separate unit replace it. Don't know if #2 would cause problems with #1 or not. Steve B. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"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? Had the old '64 Impala family car given to me after I got out of the service. 327 engine. Seems like I remember there was a large resistor to drop voltage to the coil and wired to the "run" position of the ignition switch. It was bypassed during start due the lower voltage applied to the coil from the battery voltage being pulled down by the starter. Most cars had this system in those days. Sometimes it was just a length of resistance wire. You might check if someone had that resistor burn out on them and just bypassed it with wire. That would keep the voltage at the coil too high during run, causing it to pull excessive current, which would result in a higher current also at the condensor. As far as the alternator light, my only thought is a bad alternator with an internal short. Can you get another one somewhere from a friend to put on there and troubleshoot it? Hope this helps. Sure like to see the old Chevys on the road. Garrett Fulton ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =---- |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
"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. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
"gfulton" > wrote in message ... > > "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? > > > Had the old '64 Impala family car given to me after I got out of the > service. 327 engine. Seems like I remember there was a large resistor to > drop voltage to the coil and wired to the "run" position of the ignition > switch. It was bypassed during start due the lower voltage applied to the > coil from the battery voltage being pulled down by the starter. Most cars > had this system in those days. Sometimes it was just a length of resistance > wire. You might check if someone had that resistor burn out on them and > just bypassed it with wire. That would keep the voltage at the coil too > high during run, causing it to pull excessive current, which would result in > a higher current also at the condensor. As far as the alternator light, my > only thought is a bad alternator with an internal short. Can you get > another one somewhere from a friend to put on there and troubleshoot it? > Hope this helps. Sure like to see the old Chevys on the road. > Hmmmmm... I seem to remember something like this, too... but I might be picturing something else. Didn't this wire have a resister in a can about 5/16dia by about an inch and a half or so long dangling with another wire to the same side of the coil? I might be thinking that because I *want* to think that... so I'll have to go over in the morning or ring him or something. He says he has another alternator there somewhere, but I have to wonder if the issue is external to it if he is not hammering alternators or something in the process. That the light waits 5 minutes to come on suggests to me that a capacitor or something is building a charge and then letting it go and activating the light at that time... Condenser? It's just odd that they are happening simultaneously... but I can't figure what path would allow a back flow from the battery to the condenser. Thanks for the replies so far, folks. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
"Ralph D." wrote: (69 Impala w/327)
Issue 1: Blows new condensers at odd times (no pattern). Might take a day... might take a week. Car runs and performs rather well otherwise. They just up and quit. Some things which make a good condenser fail: High heat, insufficient capacity, mechanical deformation, high-voltage arc from cracked distributor cap or rotor. Marginal insulation quality in a distributor cap may allow arcing inside if a plug wire is disconnected. Issue 2: Alternator light comes on 5 minutes after parking. 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. Now and again it drains it's battery, but when testing has no spark when striking a cable to terminal suggesting no grounded short. I think that when the engine is shut down with the points closed it is letting the battery back-feed through the condenser somehow. Suggestions? It sounds like a gremlin is turning the ignition back on after 5 minutes. This would turn on the dash gauges and activate the ignition points, thereby draining the battery. This could mean a faulty ignition switch or ........ ran out of bright ideas. Good luck. Wendy & John. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
"Ralph D." > wrote in message
... > 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. Is their a ballast resister? When was the last time spark plugs, wires, cap & rotor R/R? Are you using resister spark plug wires or perhaps resister plugs? Also you may want to check the spark plug gap. appropriately set?!! > 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. > Sounds like a mechanical regulator >Needs Adjustment< Possibly an intermittent short or perhaps a diode is loose! I would diagnose the Charging system 1st - Best way is to take it to your local auto shop! Perhaps it turns out to be vehicles regulator is over charging battery?! i.e. I could see a set of points and possibly a condenser fail! > > 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 points would fry 1st! > 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 Condenser is getting too much power from somewhere!! Alternator could very well be the root of the condenser issue. BBA |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Was: 96 Chevy Pickup Intake Leak? | bob | Technology | 1 | December 15th 04 01:13 AM |
Father, forgive me for I bought a chevy; a testimonial and question | jameson | Honda | 11 | October 28th 04 05:31 AM |
Im looking for a 454 Engine and 1968 Chevy Nova Parts in Ca | Dillon | Antique cars | 2 | April 28th 04 09:35 PM |
Buying 1955 Chevy 210 4-door, comments wanted | Alex | Antique cars | 1 | December 2nd 03 05:12 PM |
WTB: Chevy Trans and Overdrive | Tom Kieffer | Antique cars | 0 | November 14th 03 02:45 PM |