Alternator?

[Last Ride]

Hey all--
I have had an interesting problem in my '78. I know you might ask why I would be posting in the C4 Forum, but please read on. I have a 1995 LT1 in the engine compartment. Now, I moved the car about two months ago when we bought a house. Prior to that, the car had sit nearly a month without moving. Anyway, it started right up. I went out to start it last month and it wouldn't turn over, just a clicking from under the hood. I charged the battery and took it for a spin around the block. No incidents on that trip. I went out to start it last night, same clicking sound under the hood. Is my alternator going bad, or do I have a dead short somewhere? If it's the alternator, which one should I replace it with? I plan on going with a decent stereo soon, so it might need to have a bit more juice than the stock LT1 alternator. Any thoughts?

 

[jmccloud]

Suggest you charge then disconnect the battery at the negative post. After a few days, connect and try to start. No start=bad battery (how old is it?) Or if it starts OK, is it possible something electrical remains on (dome light, etc.)?

 

[Rabbit]

Sounds like your battery is going dead from lack of activity. I'd get a trickle charger /auto shutoff to keep it charged.
The Alt from a stock LT1 shud be more that enough for your stereo.

 

[Last Ride]

Suggest you charge then disconnect the battery at the negative post. After a few days, connect and try to start. No start=bad battery (how old is it?)

The battery might be two years old, if that. I have had a similar problem before, but the charging system was not properly wired. I have since had the charging system completely reworked. I am at the point now, where I am about to take the car completely apart and start over, new wiring and all. I had a new wiring harness put in last year as the wiring harness that the "expert" that originally installed when the motor was installed was an absolute piece of crap (but I am not bitter!) Anyway, I will try what you suggested. Thanks for the reply!

Bryan

 

[jmccloud]

Short battery life

It sounds as though your battery has been through some tough times. A few really good "drain to nothing" sessions will greatly shorten a battery's life. Also, if it goes dead in the winter and it turns really cold (Illinois), the battery can get partially frozen, warp plates, etc.