 1974 Ford Maverick
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690
Learned Hand
|
OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690 |
I know this isn't a car site, but I've been trying to register on a "Maverick.com" site, and can't make it work...Maybe there's some old guru's out there that can lend a hand on my son's first car, a 1974 Ford Maverick. Everything on the car is stock, including the old Voltage Regulator, and contact point ignition equipped 6 cylinder. She runs just fine, except when I put my digital VOM across the battery when the engine is idling, Im showing 12.13 vdc, with no increase in voltage with RPM. Switch the engine off, voltage across the battery shows 12.45 vdc. If you load her up, (headlights, heater, etc) with her running, she really drops, down to 11.5 or so, but I have no "ALT" light on (only in "acc" position), and the headlights are bright....Had alternator tested, it passed 3 separate times. Replaced VR, no help, all wiring good, and alternator receiving 12 vdc from battery...Now this is a simple machine that's kicking my butt, but we keep driving it, and she never fails to start. If you pull the negative cable off the battery with her running at idle, she will continue to run normal, but I get a healthy blue spark upon separation, a little too much I think. Seems something is pulling too much amperage, perhaps the coil? Any ideas appreciated...and no, I don't have a book for it yet...
|
|
|
Re: 1974 Ford Maverick
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
|
|
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Stop creating sparks at the battery. It may explode. I've seen it happen a dozen times and it ain't pretty. Acid on paint, all over engine compartment, not to mention the risk to your eyebones.
Check it with an ammeter to see if you have a high draw. Sounds like you may have a bad alternator (yeah, I know you had it tested). Full field the alternator by jumping at the VR connector, I don't remember which wires, but Google should know. If voltage goes up, reg is bad. If not, something else. Maybe alt, maybe wiring.
Ford used fusible links in the '70s. They're usually near the starter relay. The insulation burns when they go, look closely, sometimes it's hard to see.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
|
|
|
Re: 1974 Ford Maverick
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525
Loquacious
|
|
Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525 |
Quote:
alternator receiving 12 vdc from battery
I aggree with bigbill .When you say the alternator is recieving 12v from the battery, its actually the other way around. Your alternator is only putting out 12v to the batt and if you already replaced the VR, I would consider replacing the alternator. Check all connections to make sure theyre clean and no corrosion.
Good luck
Erwin
05 America
|
|
|
Re: 1974 Ford Maverick
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690
Learned Hand
|
|
OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690 |
Thanks guys....will do the alternator, heck, it needs a new one anyway....My son can't wait to get her on the road....
|
|
|
Re: 1974 Ford Maverick
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
|
|
Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
Quote:
alternator receiving 12 vdc from battery
I aggree with bigbill .When you say the alternator is recieving 12v from the battery, its actually the other way around. Your alternator is only putting out 12v to the batt and if you already replaced the VR, I would consider replacing the alternator. Check all connections to make sure theyre clean and no corrosion.
Good luck
Truth is, it goes both ways. There is no residual magnetism in an alternator like (proper) generators have, so you have to have voltage applied to the alternator to get it started.
Check the voltage from the Batt side of the regulator to the engine block. If you have the normal 13.8 to 14.5 there, you probably have some resistance in the wiring that is dropping the voltage by the time it reaches the battery. Cleaning up all the connections may cure it.
Also, most cars in that era had a grounding strap between the engine and body. If that is broken or missing, it could cause low voltage at the battery.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
|
|
|
Re: 1974 Ford Maverick
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690
Learned Hand
|
|
OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690 |
Turns out, it was the ignition coil....Borrowed a coil from the neighbor, fired her up, and now have 13.5 to 14.5 at idle...Coil was pulling it down...
|
|
|
Re: 1974 Ford Maverick
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 54
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 54 |
Try this site here.Its a gret site full of great people.Also you should get Your Son a membership in our club.MCCI I have a 72 Comet GT. I go by "my comet gt" over there.
Later Tim
[url=http://mmb.maverick.to/index.php?]
Last edited by Tim_Wilmoth; 10/29/2009 10:18 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
