My gen light is lit. Charging system is definitely bad ( while running the engine, I disconnect the positive cable of battery and engine dies). I took my alternator to my local parts store for a free check and it passed. But my alternator is not original. It came with the car (68 Firebird) when I purchased it. The little info I have from the previous owner is that my engine came from a 1970 pontiac. So, when the guy at the parts store asked me for what car, I told him it was a 1970 firebird, just so he can figure out what cable adapters he would use. My questions is, would my alternator pass the test with a 1970 firebird specifications and still not work with my 1968 Firebird? Thanks everyone.
Doesn't matter what car it came out of, it either works or it doesn't. You can put in a dc generator from a 49 Pontiac Torpedo Back if you wanted to and it would still charge the battery. Is the alternator the stock type with a regulator or an SI type with an internal regulator?
Like Sprint 6 says if the Alternator is good the next thing is check or replace the voltage regulator. If that is good also then maybe a fusible link. Have you been doing any other wire work under the hood? Was the 'GEN' light on when you bought the car?
No, the "GEN" light was not on prior. I actually saw the "Gen" light progress from flickering to brightly illuminated.
But, thanks for the reply/feedback. The alternator was old (came with the car) and has a built in regulator. Even though it passed the test at my local part store, I replaced it with a new original style alternator, external regulator and replaced wires. Now, the gen light is not illuminating anymore and the charge is holding.
