76 620 Charge light glowing

[DanMan]

Hey everyone.

 

The charge light has been on recently while driving and today when i went to start the truck it was dead.

Charged the battery and it started right up BUT the charge light is still dimly glowing.

Any advice or hints on what i need to do???

Its a 76 KC 620 4 speed manual.

 

thanks for any help!!

[banzai510(hainz)]

buy this or a volt meter

http://www.equus.com/Product/3721/Battery-Monitor

 

Ok you have a home volt meter. put across the batter while running and read the voltage. Mosst like with all things off it syhould be about 13.8 to 14.1 volts if not then you alternator is most likely bad.

a 76 most like has a Volt reg also But i dont think it will be bad if you have a low voltage reading.

 

also if a weak alternator you put the lights on and really drops then you know the alt is really weak

 

cant giveany more advise unless a soemething major is amiss. Its pretty simple system.

 

 

soemtimes a bad batt cable will give a NO start if cracked or soemthing but uyou got a light on.

[datzenmike]

Take it out and remove the brushes. You can still get them at NAPA I think. $7-$8

[Dawa]

buy this or a volt meter

http://www.equus.com/Product/3721/Battery-Monitor

 

Ok you have a home volt meter. put across the batter while running and read the voltage. Mosst like with all things off it syhould be about 13.8 to 14.1 volts if not then you alternator is most likely bad.

a 76 most like has a Volt reg also But i dont think it will be bad if you have a low voltage reading.

 

also if a weak alternator you put the lights on and really drops then you know the alt is really weak

 

cant giveany more advise unless a soemething major is amiss. Its pretty simple system.

 

 

soemtimes a bad batt cable will give a NO start if cracked or soemthing but uyou got a light on.

same, thats what i did when i was having starting issues. (turned out to be the starter, but still.)

on most gauges i would recommend a more reputable company, but voltmeters are so simple that you

can buy the autoparts store brands equus, sun pro, etc.

i think i got mine for $10-15, and the install is super super easy.

its a good investment even if one wasnt having electrical issues

[izzo]

clean all your connections.

 

I bought a multimeter from home depot for 20 dollars, even had a battery with it.  Check your voltage with engine off, turned on, and revved up.

 

off it should be ~12v.  Idle it should be more, unless it just doesn't kick on till you jazz the throttle.  In any case, it should be around 14.4V with motor on.

[datzenmike]

You said glowing... I took this to mean dimmer than full brightness. If dimmer than when you turn the ignition to ON just before START maybe bad brush contact. If full brightness it could be the regulator or the alt itself.

[izzo]

^^ Ive had them glowing when the regulator was going out.  Have also had it happen because of old wiring. Hooking up a wire from the BAT+ to the battery or starter plug has helped in the past.  Just some ideas and thoughts.

[DanMan]

Thanks guys!!! Such a help with this website.

It was just some old faulty wiring from the alternator.

Thanks again.