GEN Light came on my Vette

[Wills79Vette]

Today when I got back from vacation I charged up the battery in my Vette. The battery keeps going dead on me if I do not start it every couple of days. After I got it started, It went to the high idle and was running smooth. When I came back from putting up the charger I noticed the GEN light was on. I shut down the car immediatly, I checked around and noticed everything was in order, checked all fluids, and looked for anything out of the ordinary. I tried to restart and couldnt get enough charge out of the battery to restart. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to correct this? It is a 1979 built 350, automatic, fully optioned. Thanks.

 

[Rob]

Out of curiosity, have you test the alternator to see if it's charging properly?

 

[cruzer99]

Your battery has a dead cell....If it won't hold a charge and you're not draining it with a short or a light stuck on somewhere replace the battery but have it checked out. Or sounds as if the Alt is gone also. Maybe it has been going for some time and was not charging the battery as it should. They sometimes will charge just enough to turn off the dash light (this is why I like guages), but not be charging the battery properly.

 

[DDLS3]

Often times a failing alternator will cause a battery cell to fail due to poor, or incomplete charging. Test the output of your alternator with the idle up a bit, you should have around 13.5-14 volts. If you don't, then replace both your failing/failed battery and the alternator. Otherwise you maybe repeating this failure cycle again soon.

 

[resto75]

I am by far a electrical type person but I would start with a new battery as yours sounds like it won't hold a charge anyway, so It needs to be replaced. Then if the Gen/alt light is still lit you probably need a new alt.

Smile its a 79 not a 99. Everything on your car will need replacement at some point. It might just the the charging equipt. time has come.

 

[sscam69]

I don't know if theres Autozones in that area of the country BUT I do know parts stores will check to see if the alternators charging and if your battery is holding a charge. They usually do it for free as a service.

You could try that first before you start throwing money at the problem.

Frank

 

[Wills79Vette]

Thanks for the advise, I have had my Vette for 5 month now. I got a real good deal on it. So far I have had to put new front brake calipers, water pump, radiator, master cylinder, and a battery. The car sat for 3 years befor I bought it, and all the problems I have had are probally related problems. Im new to the site, I will have to check it out more. Thanks again. BTW there is an autozone, napa, and advanced auto down there road, I will take to one of them to test the altinator and battery.

 

[Yoda]

Will,

I believe you will need to pull the alternator out and take it in to get it tested

BudD

 

[sscam69]

autozone, napa, and advanced auto down there road

I take advantage of Autozones "Loan a Tool" program. It has helped me save some money when it comes to special tools!

 

[Wills79Vette]

I havent heard of the "loan a tool program", tonight after work I will have to check it out. I knew coming into to this project with the car setting for 3 years, I would be running into some problems. I found a bad return line for the power steering pump also, that was an easy fix, only 15 bucks for the line. I think the biggest problem is the lenth of time it has sat. Im going to replace the valve cover gaskets also, I noticed some burn off around it. Thanks for the help again!

 

[Wills79Vette]

I had both, the altenator and battery tested today. The battery is ok, check out good. The altenator didnt test too good, seems a component in it, cant remember what it is called, went bad. The altenator is not OEM, so i bought a replacement. I will hook it back up tomorrow morning. I will let you know how that turns out. Here another question, how hard would it to be to rewire the main drive system...... like the ignition, battery cables, altenator cables, everything for that part of the car?

 

[cruzer99]

Sounds like 1 of the two Diodes went bad. Not uncommon...
On your second question, don't start "fixing" things until you find out where the problem is then fix the problem! The reason for fixing the existing or known problems, you can and most likely will create additional problems during a re-wire.
After all of the problems are fixed you can re-wire, but it will take time and sometimes runs into $$$.
Good luck.......

 

[Wills79Vette]

Im giong to hold off on rewiring anything for right now, I need to focus on the alarm and power door locks now. I put the new altenator in, and now everything works good, thanks for the help everyone, trouble cleared. Now I need to also figure out my rear brakes. Thanks again.....