Guest Jerrys 49 Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Hello all.. quick question. My '49 Roadmaster only seems to show a (SLIGHT SLIGHT) charge while in "Park". While driving tonight, it seemed to do fine for about 40 minutes (It pretty much stayed in the 0 or neutral position). After that, it went completely to the "discharge" position and wouldn't "pop" back up until I brought it home and Parked it in the garage... then, while in "Park", I had to rev it up and bingo! Ammeter went from "discharge" to "neutral". I know about polarizing the voltage regulator. I just completely cleaned up ALL of my wire connections- they look new now. Generator was brought in early this year, and the guy said it tested out fine. Any ideas??? Oh, and BTW... MERRY CHRISTMAS Buick Lovers!!!Jerry 1949 Buick Roadmaster - with open portholes!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Merry Christmas, Jerry. Do your self a favor. Find an Auto electric repair shop in your area. Must be several in Ontario. Take the car to them and let them check it out. You might call first and determine if they do 6 volt. The generator or regulator is probably in need of attention. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph P. Indusi Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Give this a try. With engine off, connect a jumper from Field or FLD terminal on regulator to a good ground. Start engine and run it above idle for a few minutes. It should show that it is charging and if you measure the battery voltage you should see 7 volts or a little more. Now shutdown engine, remove jumper and restart. If it does not show charge or at least 7 volts at battery, you have a problem most liklely with the regulator.Joe, BCA 3393 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Finding a good shop is hard. It used to be my firm policy to find someone older than my car to do the work. I pretty much ran out of those guys. I'm working with my nephew who is just a little older than the Park Ave. Hell, I just happened to think; I'm older than the dirt on ALL my cars.Oh, well, Happy New Year, 2013- who'd have thunk!Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Jerry: Check to see that the belt isn't slipping. I went thru all the same route with my 1937-41. (See thread on 37 charging issues). A new belt and adjusted generator bracket did wonders! Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jerrys 49 Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Joe.. I just connected a jumper wire from the FLD terminal on the regulator to a good ground. Started her up, and whenever I pressed on the gas, the ammeter goes all the way to the charge side (I must say, I have never seen her light up so well on the dash lights! hehe). I disconnected the jumper wire, started her back up, and when I press the gas, the ammeter BARELY jumps to the charge side. Oh yeah, and with the jumper wire on, I checked my battery and it was only 6.21. I checked the battery again without the jumper wire on and same reading. Oh and Larry.. I just replaced my belt and it is nice and snug. Jerry1949 Roadmaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph P. Indusi Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 Jerry:Thanks for your update. I suggest that you charge the battery for several hours to be sure it will take a charge and hold it. A good fully charged battery will read about 6.6 volts. Ground the FLD terminal again and start the engine and hold the throttle at a fast idle and do not exceed 1500 RPM. Let it run a few minutes to replace the charge lost from starting. Check the battery with the engine at a fast idle and read the voltage across the battery terminals. You should read about 7 volts and the ammmeter should show charge. If the voltage is not around 7 volts then it is likley that you have a defective battery, perhaps a bad cell. I also suspect the voltage regulator needs replacement based on the results you describe in your last post. So my bottom line is that you may need a new battery and likely a new regulator.Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 (edited) I agree with Joe. A good test fot the battery is to charge it fully, and then do a load test on it in a day or two with a load tester. If it drops to around 4 volts then you have a dead cell and the battery will need replacing. Sometimes the regulator just needs adjusting. Pull the cap off and look at the contacts. If the platinum plating is burned away, the regulator is junk. Everyone with old cars and equipment should have one of these hanging on the wall... Noco 100-amp Battery Load Tester | Overstock.com Edited December 29, 2012 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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