Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,042 Posts1,055,519 Members48,424 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | 
#89518 05/17/2005 2:00 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 29 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: May 2005 Posts: 29 | First off I would like say what a great site. A lot of info and talent is concentrated here. Currently I am restoring a 56 Chevy 1.5 ton truck. 235 6 cyl., 4-speed manual transmission. Great truck. Actually going to shoot color on her this weekend. Anyway, heres my question: While the engine is running, if I remove one of the battery cables off the battery, the engine stops running. What could be causing this. At the battery, when I put my Fluke meter on her while running I get 12.5----12.9 volts. Any suggestions
Thanks, Jason | | |
#89519 05/17/2005 3:10 PM | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | I thought that I rememer someone tell me that was the test to see if the alt/gen was working,,if it died it meant it was not charging but I am not sure about it,, also thought that a running eng should show 13 or plus volts on the meter,, but what do I know, they call me the Joker and welcome to the bolt,, you will enjoy,,,,,,,,Fred
Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | |
#89520 05/17/2005 4:53 PM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 5,152 | Welcome to the Stovebolt!
Joker is right, you should be closer to 14 volts when the system is charging, and if it dies when the battery is diconnected that means it isn't charging.
1955 1st GMC Suburban | 1954 GMC 250 trailer puller project | 1954 GMC 250 Hydra-Matic | 1954 Chevy 3100 . 1947 Chevy COE | and more...
It's true. I really don't do anything but browse the Internet looking for trouble... | | |
#89521 05/17/2005 5:25 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 29 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: May 2005 Posts: 29 | Thanks for the replies guys. Thats what I was thinking. Question, does the voltage regulator have anything to do with the generator charging? Also, can I test to see if the generator is putting anything out ? Where do put my probes from my meter ?
Thanks again, Jason | | |
#89522 05/17/2005 9:55 PM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 29 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: May 2005 Posts: 29 | I just installed an alternator on the engine. Works great.
Thanks, Jason | | |
#89523 05/18/2005 1:10 AM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,755 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,755 | One precaution, PLEASE don't remove that battery cable to see if the alternator is charging! The rectifier diodes, and the internal voltage regulator, if it's got one, won't stand much of that. I'm sure you've already done that at least once, or you wouldn't be telling us it works!
The solid-state diodes and transistors, etc., don't like voltage surges, and I've seen spikes of 100 volts or more when a cable is removed while an engine is running. Check the running voltage with a digital voltmeter. It should be from 13.5 to 14.5 or so if the battery is well-charged. Against a low battery, the voltage will be around 13.25 volts or slightly less, and the current output will be 40 amps or more. As the battery builds up, the current drops, and the voltage rises.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | |
#89524 05/18/2005 12:27 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2 | I am looking for the pig tails that go into the back of the tail light houseing on my 59 fleetside. They are the plug in type that twist lock with spring loaded ends(just like the 1157 bulb) I cannot find them anywhere. Is there a retro fit I can use? Please any suggestions will help!
Thanks ,,Brad | | |
#89525 05/18/2005 12:54 PM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 399 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 399 | Chevy Duty has them for $4.95ea | | |
|
|
