That much current for lights only? Sounds like a short-circuit to me! Check
your headlight wiring for abration on the insulation. Sounds more like
something is touching the body rather than a weak generator.
Mark Hooper
'72 TR6
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephane St-Amant [mailto:steph71tr6@crosswinds.net]
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2001 1:14 PM
To: spitfires@autox.team.net; triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Electrical Show Stopper! (Long)
Hello all,
Well, after a way to hot 250 miles trip a few weeks ago, I decided to get
the
rad re-cored. What a difference, the needle doesn't cross the mid point
anymore.
But now I have a new problem. Yesterday, we were on our way back from the
in-laws
cottage, the sun was setting and I only put the parking lights on because
for
the last little while (read last few months) I've noticed the Amp guage
going
bezerk. It's stays stable for a while and then goes on a frenzy up and down
for a few secconds and then return to stable.
At speed (engine at around 4k rpm, the amp guage is a little over to the +
side.
With the parking lights on, it's just over the + side but with the
headlights
on, it's neutral. At idle, it's way over the - side.
I also noticed that sometimes, between the eratics moments of the guage, it
does stay a lot more on the + side. At those moments, my headlights are a
lot
brighther and I can actually see my guages at night!
Ok to the point now, yesterday, just before entering the city, I decided to
turn on my headlights and after a few idle moments at streets lights, the
engine
decided to die just as I way taking off to cross a very busy intersection
(aren't
they always doing that at those places!). Tried to restart the engine,
nothing,
the starter wasn't turning, not even a click from the solenoid!
After letting all the other cars go by, I pushed the car on the side of the
road and tried to start the car again. Still nothing but the lights still
worked
in the dash and in the car. Turned everything off and waited about 30
seconds
while I was contemplating our options. Decided to try again... VROOOMMM,
Started
right up! reved it up a little. Everything seemed fine so, turned the
parking
lights on: ok, turned the headlights on: poof, engine dies again. Turn off
the lights, try to start it again, nothing. Wait 30 seconds... try to
start...
VROOOMMM.
I decided to head home only on the parking lights (it was still clear enough
outside to be safe). Once I got safely home, I turned the headlight on
again
and the engine keep running but at idle the amp guage was way in the -.
Here my assumption: Could it be that when the headlights are on, the
generator
is not putting out enough power to run the engine and I'm basically sucking
up the battery and at one point wasn't potting enough power for the coil?
But
still enough to run the lights but not the starter? And by turning
everything
off for a while, the battery gained enough juice to turn the starter?
I know it's a long email but I wanted to make sure that the background was
covered
to get the right diagnostic.
Also, I was planning on replacing the old generator with a GM alternator
eventually,
depending on the replies I'll get, I may do it sooner than planned.
Something else I forgot to mention: the front plate of the generator is
cracked
at the bottom bolt attachment, probably causing the generator to slightly
move
from proper thightness for the belt. This could be the cause of the frenzy
of the needle I talked about.
Thanks again
Stef
Ottawa, Canada
'69 Spit - Running cooler... when it runs!!!
'71 TR6 - Under a pile of junk, but not for long
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