These old cars start and run fine on 9 volts.After a little cruise-in at Sonic my friend in his '69 Chevelle and I were headed out with a gps to see how accurate his speedo was. I start my car, the dash is really dimly lit up, as soon as I put it in gear, the radio dies. Back in park, it comes back on. Now it's starting to make sense. We were out driving before we stopped at sonic, I tried to honk my horn, but it just kind of oozed out a low whining noise instead of the two-toned sound. I thought I just had a bad connection at the horn. Well, we decided to cut the drive short, I just went straight home, every time I put on the turn signal the lights inside would cut off. Got home, tore the garage apart at 11:30 at night looking for my multimeter- finally find it to see I'm charging at just over 9 volts. Shut the car off and the battery reads about 10. Good to know the car has the priorities of keeping the engine running over the lights and radio though- never shuddered or felt sluggish on the drive home. I'm going to guess my alternator is about to crap out completely. I figure I may as well replace the battery too- I'm not to fond of the old style that isn't sealed and has breather vents that leak at times.

Electrical issues aside, it was a good turn out last night. Even a bright lime green '71 Cuda in very good condition.


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So when the car is off what is the voltage at the battery? 10V you said?

When its running is it more or less than 10V....im guessing its less.

Some how i doubt its charging at 9v...its probably not charging at all...Probably wont start now will it?

-Gun

 

Your alternator (or generator ) has gone the way of the Dodo bird. Go and get a new one. Starting does take a lot of current but not enough to drain the battery. The car will start severla times before it gives up completely. As for the lights dimming....they are pulling more amps from the battery....if you were to turn on more items that use battery juice, you will see everything get dimmer and dimmer as the new items pull mor eand more currrent from the battery until..........you guessed it...the battery goes dead. This sounds like what is happening to you.....your alternator has bit the dust and needs to be replaced.