coupla things...

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blind_in_1_ear

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k, guys as i am starting to get into the little BS of the daily driving....
first off....she's a 70 Valiant, 225....:smile:
and as stated before, a noob like no other....
was wondering a few things...

1) is the alternator gauge....is it supposed to be so "jumpy"? especially with blinker, headlights, and defrost fan on...seems like the blinker is on valium...
does it mean i need a new alternator? generator? battery?or is it normal?? :lol:

2)and onto this one...my gas gauge...it only reads 1/4 when i am full....and more recently(*after a quick bypass hose fix...) the temp gauge is being tempermental...as it was the temp ran "low", in the low side of the gauge, and i was wondering if they are possibly BOTH reading low WHEN they are reading...stabilizer in the dash? fuel sending unit is sending SOMETHING, maybe float, but that temp dealie is curious too....:scratch:

blind_in_1_ear...WILL prevail! :thumbup:
 
My guess would be bad grounds and or the dash voltage regulator. I would check the charging system with a volts gauge, check the wires to the alt gauge , check the fusible link and all of your grounds. Mopars electrical systems are bad.
 
If you are having problems with your guages not reading like they are supposed to you can never rule out the volt regulator in the insturment cluster either. There are about 3 ground coming out of the printed circuit board (if you have one in your car) if not then there are individual grounds off each guage then then go to a common splice. That soldered splice could be breaking up as that is what happens to soldered joints over time. I would check both of those and lets us know and see if there is any thing else to check out. If you email me at work or call me at work I will try to help you to the best of my ability if not I can make some recomendations on wiring harnesses.

[email protected]

(817) 244-6212
 
After checking the grounds and cleaning up all the contact points and checking voltage from the Alt. and regulator for good contacts or swap.

Theres also a metal strap that conects the fuel line at the rear of the car on the fuel line. This simple strap bridges the rubber line that connects the gas tank to the fuel line that runs the length of the car.

The float could be stuck.

The Alt. gauge jumping around is showing that the system is being taxed. This is normal on the older cars. The Alt.'s were not very powerful. It does this on my Duster (74) and Cuda (73). The one in my Dodge is dead. Both have something like 60 amp Alt.
I have to be honest, I keep forgetting how strong the Alt.'s are.
In My Duster, the Alt. is from '79, as is the drivetrain. It has the 75 amp Alt. and it still moves around. (The gauge)
 
well i guess i got some things to check on...
this weekend was a play with the car/son one, so it works out.
also got a couple books coming in, so i am excited to get on it.

again, i really can't say this enough, THANK YOU GUYS for the direction to look...

blind onto "real" work...the paying on:lol:

P.S. had a thought to cruise the VFW/retirement homes for a old timer who knows these things...kinda a miyagi(*karate kid reference) of sorts....hard sometimes to crack open anything without a "confident"(*even unwarranted....hehe) person who has previous knowledge...seems like i am a lone mopar-er(albeit a newbie) in San Diego....who knows maybe he'll find me!

P.P.S. thanks Jason for the rims, i am stoked they rock, and now waiting on the hubcaps....
 
If your fuel sending unit has the old-style brass float, it could have a pin hole and filled it with gas. Two guages reading incorrectly could possibly be a coincidence, but sure seems to point to the instrument cluster voltage regulator. Do you know what we are referring to?

Jerry
 
http://partimages2.genpt.com/partimages/99928.jpg

this guy i think is what i need...now to get into the dash...don't have my manual with me here at work(*should put it in car instead of the "library"....but oh well..) is it semi easy once in the dash...i mean i have to drop the steering wheel, and all that...but once in is it click in/out?

but i am gonna be in there this weekend, so i'll find out...heh heh

seem sorta pricey, but if it makes the whole knowing how far i can go gas thing easier.....

blind...

P.S. related story...called a shop to see if they could help me out with the gas gauge, you know FIX IT-- I PAY YOU kinda thing....asked year etc...
his response.....
mech: "here's what you need to do....go to the gas station and fill your tank....look at the odometer, and when you go 200 miles go get more gas"
me: "gee thanks there mr wizard, i didn't think of that....but i guess you won't be making any money from this, eh?"
mech: ...silence.
me: "Merry Christmas, and good luck!"

made me laugh, is this what America has come to??
 
It shouldn't be that bad once you get to where you can get to the back of the dash. Do remember that you have to test some of these circuits so you will have to find a way to test with the wiring hooked up. That is what can be the hard part sometimes.
 
ah, love it!!! *sarcasm detector test in progress*

so go out, all excited to try and figure the issue out....and well nothing.
lights all go buzz goes...no turn over...ugh...try to follow all possible(*that i know...which ain't much...

have had a few previous of these non starts, and usually the moving from park to neutral makes it turn over....yet not today...i think that is the neutral ignition safety switch??? i don't think i am gonna find that issue today...but i got a free few hours tomorrow, possibly get some jack stands...OR if she is nice and starts, go to AAMCO or something...can't have a finicky no start routine thing here...

so short story long, lost in the perverbial woods...will prevail, yet the wife's little snickers at my puzzlement is a bit unnerving...oh well, i think i'll keep the car...hehe...

so the beat goes on, at least tonight we are kidless at a "grown up" Jamacian themed party, so i will mingle, and hope to find a possible Miyagi....

blind, Jamaican style tonight!!:king:
 
edit, went out today the day in which i have NO time...started RIGHT UP!!!

nice. just freakin' great....

blind, with rage possibly??? hehe :angry4: not really, it's not in my make up...
 
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