I put my basic charging system tester on my 83 today and it said there was a charging system problem. I've been fighting a rough idle since I bought it, replaced plugs, wire, disty, rotor, PCV valve, Seafoam, fresh gas, etc. Could there be some charging part that could be screwing up my idle? Anything else I should check?

 

Also, I apologize for the title of this post, I meant to say "due to charging"

 

What was the charging problem ? Overcharge, undercharge, ? Usually the charging system would not be symptomatic of a rough idle.

Sounds like a vacuum leak. Check all vacuum lines. Put your hand over the venturis at idle. Does the idle raise and smooth out ? If so then you have a vacuum leak.

Use carb cleaner and spray all hose connections and around the intake gasket. If the engine smooths out then locate the source of the leak.

 

Venturis?

 

Doesn't the 83's have an external voltage regulator? Not sure what FYRMe has though. Overcharging is usually due to a voltage regulator problem. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

And I agree to some degree charging problems usually aren't a cause of a rough idle, however if it's excessively high or low it will affect the ignitor/coil.

 

yes, if your charging system isnt putting the correct voltage to the fuel shut off switch and choke on the carb you will get all kinds of weird idle issues. start with testing alternator. if it test good borrow an i/c regulator (drivers fender dead center cant miss it) from someone and swap it out. if that fixes your problem then you get one and call it done. those are essentially the only things on these trucks that can go out and cause the charging system to fail. also have you checked to make sure the ground wire from the firewall to the head is attached? very common thing to be left disconnected and many problems solved when reconnected