'73 Newbie Question?

Hello, my name is Anthony. I live in Northern AZ. Thanks for a great site! I have been able to receive a TON of info. from all of you! Thank You! One question: My Jeep will run if I plug in the battery charger and charge the battery. Once the battery is drained it won't run any longer. I have replaced the alternator twice, thinking that was the problem. I have checked the grounds and they all seem fine. I have also replaced the voltage regulator. I would love any info. you might have so that I may be able to fix it myself and not have to spend a fortune in the shop unless I have to. Thank you for reading this and for any input you all might have! God Bless!

 

Sorry guys, I forgot to tell you that my Jeep is a '73 CJ-5 with a 304. Once again, Thank You!

 

Ok lets do some testing now. First obtain a multi meter that will read DC volts. Next read the DC volts accross the battery terminals. They will read 12 volts or less. Now start the engine. The volt reading should be ~14 volts DC. If it is still 12 or less your charging system isn't working for some reason.

 

Thank You! When the Jeep is off it it reads 12.42, when running it reads 12.22. So this means the charging system right? What do I look for there? Thank you!

 

Yes itmeans that the battery is not seeing a charginf voltage. Why is another question. I'd start by check ing the battery ground connection. Then the battery connections. Next I'd try to find a schematic and begin testing different places to try to determine why/where the volts are getting lost at.

 

You could also try starting the jeep and as it is running, disconnect the battery. The alternator should be putting out enough to keep it running. If it dies then your alternator is not charging. Could be wired wrong or ? Just something to try.

 

Thank you 2manytoys. I have done that and the Jeep dies when I disconnect the battery. That is why I bought a new alternator, because I assumed that was what it was. I have replaced the alt. twice now, and that doesn't seem to be the problem. I really appreciate your guys help, because right now I have been trying anything. I pulled all the wires out to take a look and they all seem fine.

 

My 73 will run with the battery out. You either have another bad alternator or maybe wired wrong? Do you have the GM alternator with the 3 wires on it? I had the wires mixed up after my engine was out and had to mess with it for a bit. good luck!