70 W200 318
I took my truck out for a highway ride yesterday about 100 miles round trip. After driving a bit {55 mph}, I noticed the amp gauge was in the discharge area. I turned off the heater and headlights {cold and foggy morning} and the gauge still showed a slight discharge but was better. After driving a while, the gauge suddenly jumped a lot to a indicated charge and settled to a normal charge reading after about 10 miles. Repeated this behavior after a few more miles, discharge....then charge. On the way home, the issue finally stopped and gauge showed a slight charge and was in the area it has always been for the remainder of the trip. I was thinking a bad ground but I purposely drove over some bumps to see if it would change and it didn't. Could this be a failing VR {original Mopar VR dated 1970}? Any other suggestions appreciated.
John
Intermittent Discharge
Intermittent Discharge
1970 W200
318, NP 445
Factory LU-2 winch
A/C, HD Gauges
318, NP 445
Factory LU-2 winch
A/C, HD Gauges
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- Sweptline.ORG Pioneer
- Posts: 7363
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
- Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Re: Intermittent Discharge
Failing VR, alternator or a bad connection somewhere.
Re: Intermittent Discharge
Terry,
I suspected a bad connection or VR failing but can an alternator be intermittent? I thought that it either works or it doesn't?
1970 W200
318, NP 445
Factory LU-2 winch
A/C, HD Gauges
318, NP 445
Factory LU-2 winch
A/C, HD Gauges
-
- Sweptline.ORG Pioneer
- Posts: 7363
- Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm
- Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Re: Intermittent Discharge
Yes John, it is possible for an alt to be intermittent, altho that is uncommon. I would start with connections and the VR.
- hmaynord
- Sweptline.ORG Member
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Re: Intermittent Discharge
especially the bulkhead if it has those
harris
late 65 (titled as 66) D100 SWB 225-1, 3 speed, 3.91
driving it since 12/03/71
late 65 (titled as 66) D100 SWB 225-1, 3 speed, 3.91
driving it since 12/03/71
- Roxyflash
- Sweptline.ORG Member
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- City: East Moline
- State: IL
Re: Intermittent Discharge
Check the plug going into cab probably starting to melt
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