Electronic Ignition [Archive] - Team Camaro Tech

: Electronic Ignition


SB327
Dec 6th, 00, 09:42 AM
I just bought another 1969 Camaro (327, 700R4 automatic with a/c) that has electronic ignition and the original type alternator and externial voltage regulator.
The engine is slow to start and I'm having problems with the wipers and turn signals running very slow. I've checked the battery and it's holding a charge. I'm looking at replacing the voltage regulator and possibably the alternator and opting for a larger amp. alternator. Would the voltage regulator need upgrading also to conform to the larger alternator if I keep the original look by keeping the external voltage regulator? My goal is to correct the problem of the slow starts and slow moving wipers and turn signals. Could the conversion to electronic ignition put additional strain on the elec. system? I've also considered changing to an alternator with internal voltage regulator but I'm not sure what the problem with this car is.

CA420
Dec 6th, 00, 11:15 AM
That might help but think of how old the wiring is......33 year old wiring doesn't conduct as well as it used to.

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68 RS, Ash Gold,pwr windows,Hounds tooth

kdorsett
Dec 6th, 00, 02:46 PM
SB327,
It sounds like you have more than one problem. i would start by testing the starter and if that is okay, a higher CCA battery might solve the starting problems. Second thought, check the connections first, make sure everthing is making good contact at the starter and that you have a good ground at the block. If you are unsure, an additional ground strap will never hurt.

a slow wiper motor and blinker sounds like a grounding issue as well. Remember that a poor ground is an additional voltage drop that takes away from the intended source.

Be sure and check the battery ground also.

glenn396
Dec 7th, 00, 06:06 AM
I would start with the grounds. Disassemble all the grounds that relate to your electrical problems (wiring diagram). Clean/restore/repair the grounds and retest. Any resistance (voltage drop) across a ground drops the available voltage to the component it's powering. If the charging system is operating (13.5-14.2v engine running) it's probably a ground issue.

JohnZ
Dec 7th, 00, 02:09 PM
The wiper motor in particular has a lousy ground design - it's grounded at the wiper switch (not at the motor), through a sheet metal ground strap shared with the light switch that grounds to a screw into the bottom of the instrument panel below the light switch; the black instrument panel ground wire attaches under the same screw. Make sure the ground strap is there, isn't broken, the wiper switch is tight where it sandwiches the strap, and the bottom screw is both tight and the terminal is clean. That should help the wiper motor, interior lights, and dash lights.

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JohnZ
'69 Z28 Fathom Green

SB327
Dec 8th, 00, 08:25 AM
Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to check ALL the grounds. I did find out today that the voltage regulator is bad. I purchased a new one but I haven't installed it yet. I removed the alternator to have it bench tested and it was showing 14.5 volts. Also the starter connection needed tightening. Now I have to put the alternator and new voltage regulator back in to see if the new voltage regulator corrected any of my problems. I always appreciate the valuable input.