Help needed on i 95 North bound exit 104 in Virginia! Alternator went out in the dually need one for 1980 BBC! call me please 814 434 6390 Matt
He's between Richmond and Fredricksburg for those that might have a pal in the area. I just called Matt and left a voicemail with two HAMB guys numbers. The are each one hour away but perhaps they might have a pal that is closer that can help. Anyone else closer than an hour that can help please call Matt directly.
Just spoke to him. I didn't know this but if you have AAA they'll pick up your vehicle and take you to the parts store. He' headed north to Fredericksburg now in the wrecker, hoping that all he needs is a alternator and a jump. We'll try and help him out here in Richmond if he needs anything else. Nothing like a little HAMB adventure to ****e up a Sunday afternoon.
Still need some help... Matt has made it to the Pep Boys in Fredericksburg, VA. Installed a new alternator and a new battery. But when he turns the ignition, he has nothing. No crank, no nothing. I had him pull the headlight switch and the headlights come on, so he has juice. I understand there is a fusable link near the starter where the ignition circuit picks up the juice, so the link is good. What else might he check? Are there other fusible links or fuses in the ignition circuit? I'm going to stay here by the computer and relay and messages. Or call him direct on his cell. Thanks everybody for your help. Let's see if we can't that dually fired and get these HAMBers home tonight.
By the way, he's at Route 3 at the Pep Boys in Fredericksburg, in case anybody is there in town. Any Chevy mechanics who can walk him through the routing and testing of the ignition circuit? Call him direct on his cell; or PM me and I'll relay the message.
I think he ought to buy a test light or someone bring a VOM and start checking the circuits. Wish I was closer.
He has a test light. I suggested the same, but don't know the routing on the Chevy trucks. Trace up from the starter circuit / fusable link?
pep boys should have a continuity tester he should be able to see if the fusible link is blown or if there's a short? also check out all the connections and ring terminals, especially the if the main harness bolts through the fire wall in 2 pieces. maybe try to manually jump it at the starter?
OK, leave it to a woman.... Matt's wife suggested that he try and crank it with the headlights ON, and she fired right up!!! Don't ask me why, I'm a Ford man, but he's fired and rolling. This alternator doesn't fit like the other one, so he bought a handful of belts and is going to try and make it up to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The drama ain't over yet, but he's rolling and willin'. Thanks everybody. It's what makes the HAMB so great. He'll post when he's home. Now, back to raking leaves in the yard...
Matt just called, he is back on the road and heading noth. Said to say thanks to everyone for all the help.
Yeah...I've got a '92 Dodge Dakota that won't start periodically, unless I make sure it's re-shifted into park real good. - Rick
Hey all, Made it home 1:45 am monday morning. Was to beat to post then. Now look at the time 1:15 tuesday morn!!! Well I couldn't sleep and really wanted to post a update. Once we got the alternator changed and it wouldnt start, as Pete said, it just started as a fluke?!?! well about three more hours down the road we needed fuel and shut the truck off. you guessed it, wouldn't fire again, nothing. I ended up pulling the dash apart to get at the ignition switch, switch was good as we tested it with a meter. I was looking at the wiring and traced them out to the neutral safety switch, jumpered around it and it fired right up! Must have been coincidence that it went the same time as the alternator? Anyway, thanks to all the HAMBers and their help!! one more thing, I promise to help the next HAMBer that needs help close to me!! I am always amazed at what happens here on the HAMB!!
The Jalopy Journal
