Installed alky and car is dying...

[SS_Sean]

Okay, installed razors alky today and the install went very smoothly. I actually spend more time cleaning up the previous owners messes. I got everything hooked it, did the tests to make sure the lights were working, etc., etc. Drove over to Napa auto parts to get a new flasher relay for my turn signals and the car died in the parking lot when I was getting ready to take off. I thought, no big deal. I had the door open all day and the battery is low. I got a jump from the guys. I then drove the car over to Rhodda paint to get some denatured alcohol for the alky tank. As I was driving over to the Rhodda I noticed the heater controls were making a clicking noise, and a squeal (I've got the pushbutton style controls). I pulled into the parking lot and the car died. I got a jump again and noted the scanmaster said battery was at 8.8 volts with the car running. I also saw the scanmaster indicating the car was going to 13.4 degrees retard, back to 0, 13.4 degrees retard and back to 0 over and over. I limped the car home and I've got it hooked on the battery charger.

I do not believe I have ANYTHING improperly grounded on this alky control install. I will double check everything, but can you guys think of anything it could be???

Heck, I don't know, maybe the alternator is going out and it's not charging the battery, but what about the timing retard? The only time I've ever seen it do that was when my crank sensor was going out and it would do that retard-zero, retard-zero thing....

 

[87NAT]

If you were cleaning up another owners mess under the dash I am assuming you meant his wiring? If so you might have disconnected or rerouted something vital to the electrical system. Thats my first guess. Been there done that....:redface:

Recheck everything that you did.

 

[SS_Sean]

It was removing stereo wiring that run under the carpeting to the rear. I'm sure I've gotten that taken care of. It was one hot lead that went nowhere and one ground that went nowhere.

 

[87NAT]

Pull your alternator and bring it to your local parts store and let them check it. It could been that it has just seen better days and you need a new one. At least you can eliminate it as a culprit.

 

[Razor]

Bad socket on instrument cluster. Your probably bumped the instrument cluster not allowing the charge terminals through your dash to make contact.

When you turn the Ignition "ON" your charge lamp should illuminate.. then go out when you run the motor. As soon as you fire the motor, your volts should jump to 13-14volts

Not the alky kit.. just a 20 year old Buick with a zillion hands all over it.

 

[SS_Sean]

Bad socket on instrument cluster. Your probably bumped the instrument cluster not allowing the charge terminals through your dash to make contact.

When you turn the Ignition "ON" your charge lamp should illuminate.. then go out when you run the motor. As soon as you fire the motor, your volts should jump to 13-14volts

Not the alky kit.. just a 20 year old Buick with a zillion hands all over it.

This is a possibility because I had to undo the dash cluster to get an oldy alky system socket out of one of the cluster sockets on the right hand side lighting row. What do you suggest as a remedy to this? Undo the cluster and move it around and re-tighten? The volts don't jump anymore and I don't get a charge lamp lit...

 

[Razor]

Use the search and look for "alternator not charging" threads.. I believe Caspers makes a fix for it as well.

This is not my area of expertise, suggest you post in General Section.. or use the search..

But definately alky system is not the cuase..