jae1971

alt. started charging around 35 volts when you get above an idle, I replaced it with a new one and the same thing is going on. Anyone have a clue as to what I have going on?
Thanks, James

Grinchia

That doesn't sound possible...have you checked it with another volt meter?

Mike Ward

I think you mean amps. A '71 doesn't have a volt gauge. Sounds like your battery is almost flat.

...Roger...

That or something drawing high amps is running , electric fan maybe ?

jae1971

Sorry guys its amps not volts, no electric fans, batt is new. Guess i need to check it with another gauge but it doesn't peg the gauge like a faulty one will do it moves with the RPM's of the engine..
I changed the dist. It is an HEI, then the amp problem started, Could the coil or somthing in the electronic dist cause it to pull high amps.
I have bought a new tach drive HEI dist. It should be here tomorrow, I will change it out before I get to deep into anything else.

wombvette

With a new battery, it wouldnt be uncommon for a quick 35 amp output until the battery is sufficiently charged up. It should then fall back.

...Roger...

Just behind the distributor on the firewall is one of the fusible links for the ammeter. Wonder if being so close would have anything to do with the reading. I've seen them with the link almost burned in 2 and the outside covering all but melted off. The link is orange. If I can find a pic I will post it.

edit- here is a link showing the fusible link with and without the large black plastic crimp connector covers.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...questions.html

jae1971

Thanks Roger, I will look at that. replaced dist. today with a brand new one, no difference in amp draw. battery is 3 or 4 months old will check it also, spins the motor strong even after sitting 2 days but with electrical anything can be bad even if new.

72LS1Vette

Is your temperature gauge reading normally? Have you had the gauge cluster out recently? My understanding is the temp gauge provides ground for the entire cluster. I had my cluster out and didn't fully seat the temp gauge connector. I noticed that the reading on the ammeter seemed higher in addition to the temp gauge not registering at all.



Rick B.