this sound ok

[30-9]

6v pos grd with geni

- terminal to terminal = 6.3
- while running I removed the neg battery cable. Car continued to run
- return cable to battery - analog gauge showed 7 volts
- hit load button on battery tester and needle dropped to line that was good to weak
- turned lights on engine running still 7 volts - rev and still 7 volts
- ran wire from "B" voltage regulator to gauge and rev'd engine - still showed 7 volts


Asking cause while out yesterday. Car seemed very sluggish in turning over.

Battery is Optima maybe 4 yrs old. I have never had on trickle but always disconnect grd when not in use

[30-9]

Was it something I said?

163 hits and no replies....

[JSeery]

Some other information would be helpful, year of car/engine, cut-out or voltage regulator (OK, see it has a voltage regulator), that sort of thing. A 6v generator should be putting out over 7v runner and engine about idle, say 7.2v/7.3v

If terminal to terminal is referring to the battery terminals, sounds about right.

Car should be capable of running off of just the generator, so yes.

Assume this measurement is reading the generator voltage at the battery, 7.0v is a little low.

No idea on you charger load indicator.

Output of generator appears to be a little low.

[TJ]

If it turned over "sluggish" you need to be checking all your grounds. Are all your cables the correct size?

[30-9]

TJ & JS - thanks

Car always turned over fast, for past 4 years. So I'm pretty sure grd is good.

I did some recent wiring under dash (adding turn signals) I also took off starter cable at starter. Cleaned and added some vasoline to it when I put it back on. I'm wondering if any of that could be affecting the sluggish start.

[Don]

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Remove neg battery lead ,put a amp meter in series with cable see if you have a small drain on battery,but if you always remove cable this might not prove anything,,,

[Ggmac]

Originally Posted by 30-9

TJ & JS - thanks

Car always turned over fast, for past 4 years. So I'm pretty sure grd is good.

I did some recent wiring under dash (adding turn signals) I also took off starter cable at starter. Cleaned and added some vasoline to it when I put it back on. I'm wondering if any of that could be affecting the sluggish start.

Things change . Temp changes , humidity , corrosion etc , check cables , walk the line = battery to frame , to engine . Bat crimped factory ends , check temp by hand after cranking , be careful cause any bad connection will be HOT .

[redmodelt]

Vaseline goes on the outside not between contacts/terminals. It will act as an insulator. Did that once, slathered it on before installing the terminal, man did the battery terminal smoke till it burned thru. LOL All those years of reading to put it on, they never said where to put it on.

[Tinker]

maybe the load tester is bad. Gauges go bad.


clean/tight connections to the starter. Use dielectric grease for electric contacts. Vaseline to cover connections if you like. It is a petroleum product though.



If you run it without battery your generator is working well. Maybe not to worry.



.

[30-9]

its weird. start cold cranks like always (great). Then drive to store and shut off for 10 min and its sounds like dead or weak battery.

Maybe coil?

[rotorwrench]

The starter may have a problem with a field coil, armature, or the starter/battery cable. When cold, the part is functional and when warmed up the heat expansion can draw an internal cracked conductor path apart. In a cable, it can heat up if the wires are corroded or damaged and cause it to expand apart. The heat from the engine may not let it cool quickly enough so resistance will stay higher.

The centrifugal advance on the older engines can get sticky after it heats up. The expansion might cause it to stick a bit till it cools down which wouldn't allow the full retard function for starting. An engine with too much advance can turn over hard due to it trying to kick back. Generally a good cleaning and oiling every few years or so will keep the distributor functioning well.

These are maybes but sometimes little stuff like this pops up.

[30-9]

Ok thanks I’ll check.

I thought I read a coil could also mimic my symptoms. Guess my 84 recall not so good.

[big job]

Originally Posted by 30-9

Ok thanks I’ll check.

I thought I read a coil could also mimic my symptoms. Guess my 84 recall not so good.

where are you in Mass? The coil is not on the top of my list. You have a
starter problem. My 6vt 59A whips over like 12vts hot cold and its cold here.
I don't care, anything mechanical thats not right won't be right. And as quick as i hit the button it's running = cause its right, only takes a worn starter bushing to cause drag besides brushes commutator segments & on and on, and of course grounds. Overlooked is starter housing end plates dirty must be clean
cause all the wire grounding in the world will not correct that. Most brush end plates are aluminum and aluminum and cast iron don't get along well, as well as dirty through bolts. I am in the Taunton Mass area bring it here I will correct Rt 138 170 Aquira Dr....sam

V8 enging rebuilding specalist also model A & Ts 508-774-406-1913

[30-9]

Thanks but I’m in Andover