[396chevelle]

Got a question about head lights on my 69 Chevelle. When the light s are on they seem to give out your average lighting, but every once in awhile they get really bright for a few seconds. My amp gauge needle also has started bouncing around while driving. This has all just started last 2 times I've drove it. Could this be the alternator? All wires and the fuse box are new.

Thanks,
Sal

[matts37chev]

start with checking the grounds

[kc8oye]

could be the alternator, could be the regulator.

[speedydeedy]

Originally Posted by matts37chev

start with checking the grounds

I agree totally. Most people put a ground from the battery to the engine and think that is good. You should also have a ground cable from the engine to the frame and to the body.Make sure they are all clean and tight. A bad ground will cause all sorts of strange problems.

[pepi]

Originally Posted by kc8oye

could be the alternator, could be the regulator.

This is most likely the problem, a brighter brilliance is indicating intermittent high current, and the alt or the regulator can do that.. have the alt tested a load test might find show that up... however it is intermittent and could pass, if it were my car I personally would change the alternator ..

[302 Z28]

Have alternator checked and while you are at it clean and re-attach all ground connections, check headlamp switch for signs of overheating.

Vince

[EOD Guy]

Having the same issue..... didn't do it until I replaced the wire from the alt to the volt reg (old one was thrashed by old owner) yes I used 8 gage

[T-bucket23]

You need to geta voltage gauge and attach it and go for a ride. Most likely you will see the voltage go up when the lights are getting brighter. This could be several things. The first thing i would look at is that the battery ground is firmly attached to the block. Secondly, check the wire on teh #2 terminal of the alternator to be sure it is connected to a switched source close to the fuse panel. This is the wire that controls the charge rate for the alternator. If the problem is intermittent it may not show up on an alternator tester. I would check over the wiring first. Most weird alternator issues are caused by wiring issues. Check the body grounds also.

[kc8oye]

t-bucket.. I think you are assuming he has a newer internally regulated alternator. on an externally regulated alternator that his chevelle would have had stock.. both alternator wires go to the regulator mounted on the core support by the driver's side headlight.

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by kc8oye

t-bucket.. I think you are assuming he has a newer internally regulated alternator. on an externally regulated alternator that his chevelle would have had stock.. both alternator wires go to the regulator mounted on the core support by the driver's side headlight.

same scenario, different tests