Superformance Charging !ssue!!

Gregwindsor · #1 (**permalink**) 07-17-2015, 05:09 PM

Having an issue with my car and wondered if anyone has ever had the same issue?
A couple weeks ago, I was having an issue with the MDS Ignition box. After many tests and calls to their tech line, they determined that I needed to replace it...which I did. Car starts fine now but as soon as I installed the 6AL box, the ammeter starts violent pulsing! MSD tells me that no way can it be the 6AL and that it just a coincidence and the trouble is with my charging system. So.....had the charging system checked and tried a new voltage regulator. Same thing. It is a 351 stroker with an GM alternator and a Ford solid state regulator.
The funny thing is that when I first bought the car it did it a little bit....putting a load on the charging system (like turning on parking lights) would settle it down. I discussed this with the previous owner and he told me that it always did it and every other Superformance he rode in, did it too. Now its violent......

vatdevil · #2 (**permalink**) 07-17-2015, 05:51 PM

Check and clean your grounding connections. also consider changing out the amp meter for a volt meter

Gregwindsor · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2015, 07:52 PM

Checked all the grounds but I'm going to put it on the lift and check every ground connection there is on the car! If I convert to a voltmeter, it wouldn't cure the problem. Lights and fuel pump are fluctuating with the amperage surges. Its very frustrating!

REAL 1 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-18-2015, 06:09 AM

Start with the simple stuff. Try a new battery.

I had a charging issue years ago and my meter would go from + to - draw. Tried everything except the battery including new meter nothing fixed it. Saved the battery for last. Should have done it first.

avdcav · #5 (**permalink**) 07-18-2015, 06:28 AM

If you don't own a load tester you should get a cheap hf one they work great
Chasing electrical gremlins without a load box and a multi is just a waste of time.

That's were I would start ,

STEVE-O · #6 (**permalink**) 07-19-2015, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregwindsor

Having an issue with my car and wondered if anyone has ever had the same issue?
A couple weeks ago, I was having an issue with the MDS Ignition box. After many tests and calls to their tech line, they determined that I needed to replace it...which I did. Car starts fine now but as soon as I installed the 6AL box, the ammeter starts violent pulsing! MSD tells me that no way can it be the 6AL and that it just a coincidence and the trouble is with my charging system. So.....had the charging system checked and tried a new voltage regulator. Same thing. It is a 351 stroker with an GM alternator and a Ford solid state regulator.
The funny thing is that when I first bought the car it did it a little bit....putting a load on the charging system (like turning on parking lights) would settle it down. I discussed this with the previous owner and he told me that it always did it and every other Superformance he rode in, did it too. Now its violent......

There is a wiring change for Superformance cars in the voltage regulator circuit involving the sense wire. Current wiring causes the ammeter to flutter as well as overcharge the battery. The fix corrects those issues. There is an explanation as well as video of the issue documented on the SCOF site. If you are a new SPF owner it is well worth joining SCOF.
The other option, which I had on my car, is to use a 1 wire alternator set up since then the VR on the drivers side wheel well isnt even needed.

Gregwindsor · #7 (**permalink**) 07-19-2015, 02:38 PM

Thanx for the responses guys!

Real1......Its a fairly new battery....will substitute for a new one and see what happens...I know it will crank till the cows come home when I had the MDS issues, but I will try a new one anyways

Avdcav......don't hava load tester but did put a multi-meter across the battery whilst it was running. Showed lotsa charging voltage and the voltage was surging with the ammeter.

Steve-O....will check into SCOF. I had read somewhere that there was a wiring change but couldn't find it on Google. Ya, I see the harness for the driver's side alternator mount. Don't want to cut it off if I don't need to. Will try a battery first and check out the wiring change on SCOF. Its weird that this started happening after the MDS box up-grade. I know it will jump a spark at least and inch and thought somehow it was interfering with the electronic regulator but because there is a bulletin on this issue..it might be the problem.
Thanx Again
Greg

tortuga · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2015, 09:35 AM

Hey i had a similar issue, turned out it was a broken wire crimp connection at the single wire plug at the alternator (the exciter plug) Napa Auto carries the exact piece (white plug with two wires, but the white use the red)...It was broken i think from the vibration, crimped on a new eye, plugged it in and fixed...My wire was just on the verge of separating, wiggle it and give a light tug...