'65 Skylark Voltage Regulator Question

This morning I went to start up my 1965 Buick Skylark. It started just fine like always and then it did something really weird. The gen light stayed on. Also when I put it into drive and drove forward a little it made a little hi piched squeaky noise. I check the belt and it was on correctly and tight. (I know it is not a belt) I have replaced the battery as well as the alternator within the last 6 months becuase both were old and went bad. The car runs but the gen light stays on so I didn't want to risk getting stuck somewhere. Does anyone know what this could be? To me is sounds like a faulty voltage regulator.

One thing we car crafters often forget is that just because we replaced something doesn't mean the replacement was good. I would listen to the alternator with a piece of old hose or the end of a screwdriver. Put one end on the alternator and the other to your ear and see if you can hear a bad bearing. <BR> Also check the voltage at the battery with the engine running. You should have 13.5-14.5, but some old cars had less at idle so rev it and see if it goes up.<BR> The first thing you can do is check the wiring. Make sure the contacts are clean and the wires good.<P>Tomsriv<BR>71 Riv

[John Chapman]

Cool...<P>Best bet is to take it to a reputable independent auto electric shop. Not a chain, most of those places won't know an old voltage regulator from a left-handed spanner wrench. Your symptoms could be a number of things, but the squeal sounds like maybe the alternator has failed (bad bearings?)<P>You can completely sidestep the regulator problem by converting to a new internally regulated alternator. Lots of past discussion on this.<BR> <A HREF="http://www.aaca.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000091.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.aaca.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000091.html</A> <BR> <A HREF="http://www.aaca.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000167.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.aaca.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000167.html</A> <BR> <A HREF="http://www.aaca.org/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000167.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.aaca.org/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000167.html</A> <P>Cheers,<BR>John<P>------------------<BR>John Chapman<BR>BCA 35894<BR>1965 Skylark Convertible (Some Assembly Required)<BR> jmchapman@aol.com