Classic/Antique Car Repair/battery not charging

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Expert: - 6/30/2009


Question
My daughter just bought a 66 Ford Fairlane Custom 500. We have put in a new battery,alternator and starting solenoid. Itwill run fine for awhile and then when you try to start it the battery needs jumped. What should I try next?

Answer
Now that you have spent a bunch of money trying things it is time to break out the voltmeter and test the alternator output, the voltage regulator, the battery cables and connections. It appears that the alternator is not charging or that if it is the output from it is not getting to the battery.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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