1980 Truck power "pulsing"
#1
1980 Truck power "pulsing"
Hi,
My 1980 Truck, rebuilt 22R, has a new (less than 500 miles) alternator, new voltage regulator, distributor, and battery. When driving through some rough terrain, a loud clicking began from under the passenger side dash. Then I noticed the gauge stack (oil pressure, voltimeter, and temperature) starting "pulsing" in concert with the click as did the dash lights. I figured it was a loose connection and wet (near ocean). Dried the truck and let idle and the pulsing stopped for a while so I parked it for a month. Went back to let the engine warm and the pulsing continued. This time I noted the new battery was bubbling and dripping acid (although it is a battery that warns to not open -- Oreilly battery). Possibly the voltage regulator gave up the ghost, or? I'm not sure as I re-ran the wiring, etc, to make sure all connected but am at a loss. I'm in the middle of nowhere with no mechanics around. Penny for your thoughts?
(PS. I had aftermarket a/c added and the clicking is coming from around where the a/c is at. Professionally installed a/c).
My 1980 Truck, rebuilt 22R, has a new (less than 500 miles) alternator, new voltage regulator, distributor, and battery. When driving through some rough terrain, a loud clicking began from under the passenger side dash. Then I noticed the gauge stack (oil pressure, voltimeter, and temperature) starting "pulsing" in concert with the click as did the dash lights. I figured it was a loose connection and wet (near ocean). Dried the truck and let idle and the pulsing stopped for a while so I parked it for a month. Went back to let the engine warm and the pulsing continued. This time I noted the new battery was bubbling and dripping acid (although it is a battery that warns to not open -- Oreilly battery). Possibly the voltage regulator gave up the ghost, or? I'm not sure as I re-ran the wiring, etc, to make sure all connected but am at a loss. I'm in the middle of nowhere with no mechanics around. Penny for your thoughts?
(PS. I had aftermarket a/c added and the clicking is coming from around where the a/c is at. Professionally installed a/c).
#2
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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Turn off all the lights at night and look for sparks. Sounds like something is short circuiting. I would also get a load tester and see how that alternator is doing. Could be overcharging. When you parked it for that month did the battery drain?
#3
Last year, I had parked the vehicle for about three months with everything connected. When I went to start it, it acted as if the battery was dead. However, I replaced the battery and still heard a "click" like the starter wasn't getting enough power. Ichecked the connections to the starter, thumped it, and it started no problemts. Didn't drive it much until the weekend outing. When arked for hte month, I simply disconnected the battery. Reconnected it, started the truck and then noticed the pulsing was back. Maybe an issue with the starter? That, too, is new. Hmmm.
#4
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Natchitoches, La
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start pulling fuses with it running and see if you can stop the clicking. check the wiring in the floorboard. Let us know what you find and welcome to yotatech. Where are you from?
#6
Thanks for all the help! Why is pulling the fuses a bad idea? I'm making the plans to go and work on the truck today but don't want to do anything silly. And currently i'm stuck in africa; hence the inaccessibility of shops.
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