This isn't concerning my truck. This is for a buddy that has a twin to my truck. It's an 88 ram, 318 FI, 4 speed . It's actually in a little better shape than mine. Anyway, my buddy calls me up and has been having a charging issue. He found something online that told him his vr was built into the computer for his truck. He went and got a new alternator and a 87 vr. He said it worked fine for about a week. Then stopped charging again. He's bringing it to me on Saturday. I told him worst case we will bypass all the factory wiring (I did it on my fury). Also I told him about the wonderful and helpful folks on this forum and that he should join. Not sure if he will tho. Well with this rather vague description, does anyone have any insight on the possible culprit? Thanks guys....Damon
No charge?
- Thread starter Furyus 67
- Start date
65 sporty
Well-Known Member
Your going to want to check his wiring out. Make sure he has battery power at the large wire at the alt. You can full field the alt, ground the green wire with the regulator unhooked to do this but don't leave it very long because it will put out it's max amperage. If it doesn't charge have it tested at the auto parts or a rebuilder. A rebuilder can also test the regulator, at least mine can.
My 1st thought was to check the wiring and grounds. I didn't realize you could full field the alt tho.
I had some charging issues with my fury I couldn't find and ended up running new wiring and a post 69 alt/vr that solved the issue. He bought an autozone alt a week said it was tested a few times and was good( we'll see). Thanks for the tip. Honestly I was wondering/hoping there was a known issue with these early FI trucks that were blatant
I had some charging issues with my fury I couldn't find and ended up running new wiring and a post 69 alt/vr that solved the issue. He bought an autozone alt a week said it was tested a few times and was good( we'll see). Thanks for the tip. Honestly I was wondering/hoping there was a known issue with these early FI trucks that were blatant
Well we got it figured out. When he chose his remote power for the vr/alt he chose poorly. After chasing wires and screwing with for a while I pulled his remote wire from the cab to the engine bay and connected it to the battery....Eureka! We had a charging alternator. He found a better spot in the fuse box and was back on the road! Here's a couple pics of his. 88' 3speed 318la w/holly FI. This thing scoots surprisingly well for a small block.
p.s I think I'm gonna move that large blue bow tie. I only seem to take pics of mopars anymore and in all of em there's my bow tie!
You can use the bow tie for target practice . Just a thought . lol ... As far as the regulator go's , right around 88/89 the regulator moved from the firewall to inside the computer .
Hey now!!
That bow tie has fed 4 generations of my family. Born and raised in Flint MI makes kinda hard to escape it lol. Besides my aunt spent 2 days pealing that off of the wall in the old cheby in the hole plant that is now gone. She tried to give it to my dad for his retirement. He wanted nothing to do with it lol. My buddy figured that out and by passed it. He bought a 87 down vr that worked for a week. Said he was driving and heard a small "pop" and lost his charge. I think the "pop" was his alternator. He got a new alt, we still didn't have any charge. That's when I took his remote power wire and connected it to that battery and we had charge. He just needed a new power point for the vr/alt. He's back on the rd now!
Hey , I can relate . Bow ties have put plenty of money in my pocket as well . Pretty much every one that has pulled up next to me , has had to give something up . lol No offence Furyus , But you know I got to bust'um every once in a while and you left yourself wide open with the bow tie on the wall . lol
lol No offence Furyus , But you know I got to bust'um every once in a while and you left yourself wide open with the bow tie on the wall . lolYes...yes I did! No offense taken at all bear. I figured if I didn't call it out someone else was going to lol. I'm a car guy tho. They all make something I like. I just like Mopars better!! From my great grandfather to my father, all retired from cheby! I did a spell in a cheby plant myself....never again tho!Hey , I can relate . Bow ties have put plenty of money in my pocket as well . Pretty much every one that has pulled up next to me , has had to give something up .