[magnum360]

my 78 truck now has a 95 360, including the alternator. the volts at the battery and the ballast resistor read normal but the gauge in the dash reads off the scale. the ammeter in the dash reads normal. the alternator is wired the same as the original 318's. any suggestions?

 

[Dodge 85 RC]

First thing that came to mind was a bad voltage regulator, but you would have high voltage going to the battery as well... Are you sure you have all your connections clean and tight? That would be the first thing I would check.

 

[magnum360]

all are ok. i thought vr too so i got a new one....same reading. she runs fine and the lights aren't excessively bright either. gonna give her a thourough check tomorrow.

 

[Guest]

Here's a stupid question do you have a multimeter?

all are ok. i thought vr too so i got a new one....same reading. she runs fine and the lights aren't excessively bright either. gonna give her a thourough check tomorrow.

 

[magnum360]

that's how i checked the voltage under the hood.

 

[Guest]

Ok please don't take it wrong...What did you get volt wise?

that's how i checked the voltage under the hood.

 

[Slanted_Mind]

Try taking a reading with your DVM at the gauge, to see if the gauge is reading correctly.

-SM

 

[magnum360]

nah i didn't take it wrong, it was an honest question. i got 14 volts at the battery. gonna check the gauge tomorrow. thanks

 

[KThaxton]

This may or may not be relevant but......You have a 95 360 in your truck, why do you have a ballast resistor? Are you useing the fuel injection and PCM from the 95 or did you convert it?
Also, you say you have the alternator wired like the original 318, if you are using the PCM, it has the VR in it.
Again, I don't know if this is relevant to your problem, but I thought I'd ask.

 

[magnum360]

not using the fi. running an m1 intake with a tq. no stinkin computers on my truck. that's the only thing out of whack so far. engine and body are getting along fine