09-05-2011, 11:15 AM
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Half-Ass Member
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,025
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Not Ranked
Quote:
Originally Posted by TKlauber
I notice the ammeter sits at zero at idle.
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Normal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TKlauber
It will swing positive when I punch the throttle
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Normal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TKlauber
.. and it will swing negative when I turn on the fans.
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Not unusual at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TKlauber
When I turn on the headlights the engine cuts off!
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Well, it shouldn't do that. Does it kill the engine even if you're revving at 2000RPM when you turn the lights on? Or does it only kill the engine if the fans and the lights come on at idle? Has it always done this (since 1997)? It takes five minutes to pull an alternator off an FE -- instead of testing it yourself, I think you should just pull it out and take it down to your local Autozone, or whatever parts place you have in your area, that will bench test it for you. Most places do that for free. Disconnect your battery cables first since the clearance from the head to the connections on the back of the alternator are pretty close on an FE. Once you know your alternator is up to snuff, you can then work your way up stream. Whatever the problem turns out to be, I'm betting it will not be a big deal. |
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