Help quick!

npca-sean71 · Post by **npca-sean71** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 11:03 am

Hello all- Last night after driving home i was going to move the patrol and no starter. The battery was too low to kick the starter. The battery is a 1997 so maybe that is the problem. But my question is this, When i turn my headlights on should the voltmeter gauge needle drop WAY into the - side of the gauge? Would that be my battery or my generator?

npca-grant · Post by **npca-grant** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 3:13 pm

Hey Sean! Hmmm, WAY is a relitive term!

How WAY is WAY, is your WAY the same as my WAY?

AnyWAY, when you turn your lights on, and see it drop WAY into the side of the gauge... is it while the motor is running? Because if it is, it could be the generator, or, on some of these old PATROLS I think they had a seperate regulator? That could be it too... I would assume you would see it drop into the side of the gauge if the motor is not running, but I wouldnt expect it to drop at all when the motor is running. The electrical recharge system should be able to maitain a postive charge, otherwise you batt would eventully die. I dont know if this is any help, but it sounds like your generator/regulator (alternator) is dying if it cant maitain a post charge while the lights are on and engine is running, or your batt is so dead that it cant take a charge. Take it down to SEARS, I think they will test it for you for free? Grant

npca-sean71 · Post by **npca-sean71** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 3:52 pm

It moves down ( tword negative) when i step on the brakes too! And when it's running too. In WAY i mean that the needle is more than 1/2 way to pointing directly to -30.

npca-vizsla · Post by **npca-vizsla** » Wed Dec 12, 2001 4:48 pm

>Hello all- Last night after driving home i was going to move the patrol and no >starter. The battery was too low to kick the starter. The battery is a 1997 so maybe >that is the problem. But my question is this, When i turn my headlights on should >the voltmeter gauge needle drop WAY into the - side of the gauge? Would that be >my battery or my generator? ; ; Have you switch to an alternator? Standard chevy 350 alternator works fine. All you need to do is make one bracket. I have my own machine shop so it was easy to make. I would make you one, it would only take a few minutes. This solved all my electrical problems. Jim Q.

npca-sean71 · Post by **npca-sean71** » Thu Dec 13, 2001 11:29 am

Twist my arm. OK i'll take one. let me know cost/shipping and all that. How did you wire the alternator in? Member name vizsla? How does he/she like the patrol? I had a german shorthair that loved that truck. It's good thing he didn't have thumbs. I would have spent all of my time tracking him down. Thanks in advance.

npca-sean71 · Post by **npca-sean71** » Thu Dec 13, 2001 3:44 pm

It seems there is a short somewhere. I have the charging system checked and was given the OK. Strange thing is that the motor was 12 volts! Could be the battery i was told so i replaced it. Still a short though but it seems to be only when the car is actually running! I am going to replace the voltage regulator. any other ideas? Coil?

npca-willie · Post by **npca-willie** » Thu Dec 13, 2001 6:44 pm

Visla, how did you make the wide patrol belt work with the GM alternator, does the patrol alternator pulley fit the GM alternater? Thanks, Willie

npca-vizsla · Post by **npca-vizsla** » Fri Dec 14, 2001 12:13 pm

>Visla, how did you make the wide patrol belt work with the GM alternator, does the >patrol alternator pulley fit the GM alternater? Thanks, Willie; ; Willie:; I first tried to run a smaller belt but had all kinds of trouble with squealing so I just put the big belt back on. I have had no problem for over 6 years.; ; Note: I just wired it up the same as the original generator. I later put in an isolator an installed a second battery for accessories. My Patrol is a 62 with the PPU241 motor but everything on my parts 67 fits. Vizsla.