First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... The alternator can be bad after starting the car with poor grounds. Starter current can generate voltage spikes that get into the alternator diodes and damage them. Typically the diode will short and then it will draw so much current, it goes open/leaky. The symptoms can be some charging, but inadequate charging. So while your alternator should be good, there is a chance of damage. Also, the alternator should not draw current when the ignition is off! There is a copper braid connecting the subframe to the firewall near the bottom where a flange connects to the outer fender housings. Where you see two rectangular openeings in the firewall with an edge bent 90* out, there should be a ground strap from there over to the front subframe. There is one on each side. There is also another grounding strap from the firewall next to/behind the distributor. This one connects to the engine somewhere. There are two ring lugs, 1/4" hole or so, that through bolt to the radiator core support. One is behind the battery. The other is next to the voltage regulator. Both of these carry the ground through the wiring harness. There is a ground from the voltage regualtor enclosure to the core support. This is needed because the voltage regulator is mechanically insulated by rubber well nuts. This isolates the body of the regulator from ground, so a ground wire runs from a screw on the side of the regulator over to a 1/4" bolt through the core support. There is the ground to the passanger side fender, right there at the battery. I think there are others, but it's been a few years. I'll check through photos tomorrow and see if there were more. Larry
--- On Tue, 7/29/08, Michael Hershey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Michael Hershey <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [FGF] lights flickering To: "First Generation Firebird-L" <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008, 12:51 AM First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... thanks for your help! The alternator is brand new so I hope its not bad! Everything is charging fine - battery is good no issues there. I had it checked the other day and it passed all the charging tests - so if thats the case I assume its still ok? I have a 1969 bird - forgot to mention earlier I could only find two locations for the grounding straps even though the pack from ames came with 3 straps - any idea on where these should all go? This could be a problem! As far as the battery cables, I can tie the extra small wire onthe neg cable into the fender photos would be extremely helpful - thanks! michael On 7/28/08, Larry *.* <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List > ......................................................................... > I forgot to mention, don't rely on your alternator to charge a dead > battery. Charge the battery with a charger until it is fully charged. > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> > Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> > > Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> > Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> > > Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> > FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/> Donations: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store/cart.mv?999999> FGF Merchandise: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/store>
