Re: IML: Dipping Ammeter - 1972

["john sadowski" <jsadowski@xxxxxxx>]

I had trouble with the firewall connector on my 69. I went for a drive on a 
day when it was about 110 outside. I had the A/C on & when I stopped at a 
light, the ammeter dropped way to discharge & the engine stalled & all 
electrical went out. After having it towed home, I discovered the fusible 
link gave up. Bypassing it did nothing. I wiggled the firewall connecter & 
the lights came on & was able to start the car. I cleaned it & haven't  had 
any further problem. I suggest cleaning that again, along with connections 
at the regulator.
John
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kenyon Wills" <imperialist1960@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "IML" <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2007 10:09 AM
Subject: IML: Dipping Ammeter - 1972


> The 72 is becoming more complete and I am driving it
> regularly now, so I am in the process of sorting it.
>
> Car has a new battery, rebuilt alternator, and new
> (solid state, stock) voltage regulator.  Wires seem
> OK, although they are originals.
>
> The socket where the loom goes into the firewall was
> cleaned with contact cleaner and solidly re-attached
> (or so I think).
>
>
>
> Problem:
>
> The ammeter dips regularly.  When it does so, the
> voltage drop is bad enough to stall the engine or at
> least make it stumble.  Killed the engine a few times.
>
>
> This engine stumble symptom is when the car is at idle
> and the alternator is presumably putting out less
> current or the engine does not have the momentum to
> keep going.  Above-idle driving is not obviously
> affected by the dipping, although it is still present
> on the gauge at the same rate.
>
> The dipping is displayed on the ammeter as the needle
> moving 15% down from a slight C to a slight D, almost
> like when the turn signal is applied on the older
> cars.
>
> The frequency is consistent for the most part, and
> happens perhaps every 30 seconds or so.  Maybe more,
> maybe less, but in other words it is repetetive but
> not so frequent that it seems tied to anything in the
> engine, as it is not affected by engine speed in any
> way - it's just more obvious when RPM is down.
>
> Also:  When lights are on at night, the lighting also
> dips concurrent to these pulses.
>
> It is not present when engine is off, so far as I
> know.
>
> Did I mention that I dislike electrical stuff more
> than anything else?
>
>
>
> 1.  How do I trace this or figure out why it's funky?
>
>
> 2.  Sound familiar to anyone?
>
> Kenyon Wills
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