HELP!!!! Charging System Issues
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From: Oshkosh, Ne
HELP!!!! Charging System Issues
i have 78 f250 with a 429 from a who knows what put in it. i was having problems with my charging system so i replaced the battery, alternator, solenoid, and voltage regulator, still nothing is working. i read in another post that you should not use the old trick of disconnecting the positive battery cable while the pick-up is running as it can cause problems. i just read this and have done that several times. so now my charging system still does not work, so what do i do?
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From: Virginia
Do you have a meter? You will need one.
Just for verification purposes, check the voltage at the battery with the engine, and then with the engine running. If the voltage is not higher with the engine running, it's not charging.
Turn the engine off, and check the large lug on back of the alternator. It should be 12v. If it's not, check the wire out.
Do you have a wire on the "I" terminal of the regulator? Report back if you do or don't have a "I" wire on the regulator.
Just for verification purposes, check the voltage at the battery with the engine, and then with the engine running. If the voltage is not higher with the engine running, it's not charging.
Turn the engine off, and check the large lug on back of the alternator. It should be 12v. If it's not, check the wire out.
Do you have a wire on the "I" terminal of the regulator? Report back if you do or don't have a "I" wire on the regulator.
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From: Oshkosh, Ne
There is no I wire on the regulator. there is the same amount of volts on the battery terminal of the alternator as there is on the battery. i checked it out with a meter like you said. also the system is verified as not charging as the voltage stays the same when the engine is off as it does when it is on.
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From: Virginia
No "I" wire means it should be wired like below.
Make sure you have 12v on the "s" wire when the key is switched to run.
Note about the diagram. The choke is optional. If you don't have a electric choke, there will be no wires on the alternator "s" connection.
Make sure you have 12v on the "s" wire when the key is switched to run.
Note about the diagram. The choke is optional. If you don't have a electric choke, there will be no wires on the alternator "s" connection.
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From: Oshkosh, Ne
so then in theory if i wired it just like this then it should charge the system. so that means that i have 1 wire going from the f terminal on the VR to the field terminal on the ALT, and 1 wire going from the BAT terminal on the ALT to the Solenoid, and 1 wire going from the A terminal on the VR to the solenoid both of which would be on the positive side of the solenoid. and the S terminal going o the ignition switch as it already does. My pickup is devoid of any kind of choke what so ever, there is neither a manual or electric choke that i can find on the carb. although i dont know if because its a 429 and has a carter AFB 4 barrel carb on it if that makes a difference.
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From: Virginia
so then in theory if i wired it just like this then it should charge the system. so that means that i have 1 wire going from the f terminal on the VR to the field terminal on the ALT, and 1 wire going from the BAT terminal on the ALT to the Solenoid, and 1 wire going from the A terminal on the VR to the solenoid both of which would be on the positive side of the solenoid. and the S terminal going o the ignition switch as it already does. My pickup is devoid of any kind of choke what so ever, there is neither a manual or electric choke that i can find on the carb. although i dont know if because its a 429 and has a carter AFB 4 barrel carb on it if that makes a difference.
You have got it down I believe.
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From: Oshkosh, Ne
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Cargo Master
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From: Acworth, GA
I have some electrical, starting, and charging system tests here;
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Grubbworm's Album: Troubleshooting help, for anyone that needs it.
They might help. I also have a three step test that works very well for me, let me know if it helps you.
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - Grubbworm's Album: Troubleshooting help, for anyone that needs it.
They might help. I also have a three step test that works very well for me, let me know if it helps you.
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From: Oshkosh, Ne
fixed the problem. was nothing more than some bad wiring on the VR and the ALT (thanks Franklin2) and a non-existent ground from the block to the frame and the ALT was not grounded. everything seems to working for now. Thanks guys
