Listers:
I recently started up the '70 PI after a couple of idle weeks. The car
barely cranked, as if the battery was dead. I wasn't overly surpised, since
I had completed recently 2 lengthy sessions of fuel injector testing which
required repeatedly starting the car for a few seconds each.
I jump started the car and it started right up (on all 6 cylinders, by the
way!). While driving, the voltmeter (?) showed charge when the revs were up
and discharge when idling. I only had a chance to drive 2 or 3 miles, and
had to park it. It wouldn't crank again today.
My question is this: Does my description indicate only a discharged battery,
or a bad alternator? In other words, does the position of the voltmeter on
the "charge" side of the scale while revving indicate proper alternator
function? In that case, I will just take the car out for a long drive and
everything should be fine. If not, how do I check the alternator?
I would have trickle-charged the battery, but my charger is malfunctioning
and needs to be returned to the company for exchange. I can easily replace
the battery if need be, but I am curious if I have supplied enough
information to know that the alternator is all right.
Thanks!
Michael Samuels
Miami Beach, FL
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