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'67 Chevy Impala battery won't charge
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Alexandra
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Mar 16, 2011, 12:13 PM
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'67 Chevy Impala battery won't charge
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First, let me apologize for asking a question that's been asked a thousand times already but I was hoping for a new answer. Most of the rest that I've read were for newer cars and mine is older than me.
It's a 1967 Chevy Impala with a 283hp engine and obviously, a lot of mileage. The alternator always charged the battery just fine and then one day it just stopped charging. I didn't even notice the gauge until the car died. Since then I've had the alternator tested (it's fine), replaced the voltage regulator, checked every fuse and tested their sockets, checked all the wiring for breaks, tears, or anything else I could find, replaced A LOT of the terminals and connections, and drank about 13 gallons of coffee (just a guess). The battery is brand new (2 days old) and tests fine. I've tested it with a multimeter and with the car off, it shows no parasitic drain. I even tested the gauge inside the car and it's fine. Unfortunately, it still reads 0.0 with the car running.
I'm starting to get a funny feeling that I'm missing something obvious but I'm not exactly the greatest mechanic in the world and it could easily slip by me. That's where you guys come in. SOMEONE FIX MY CAR!!! Uhm, pretty please? 
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 16, 2011, 12:29 PM
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Re: '67 Chevy Impala battery won't charge
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Test for power at the main terminal at the back of the alternator with the key OFF. If no power found, check the fusible links at the starter.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Alexandra
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Mar 19, 2011, 2:31 PM
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Well, this is interesting. There is no fusible link at my starter which I already knew but when I tested the main terminal at the back of the alternator with the key off it showed nothing. Now I'm really confused. Everything is working just like it should and yet my battery is still not getting charged.
Any other ideas? I'm fresh out and my brain hurts.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 19, 2011, 2:33 PM
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Well, let's put it still way. There is supposed to be a fusible link at the starter for the alternator.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Alexandra
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Mar 19, 2011, 2:41 PM
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Uh oh, I didn't know that. The thing is, there has never been one at the starter before and I've never had a problem. Maybe I should check for a paperclip? 
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 19, 2011, 3:01 PM
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Al the power for the whole vehicle comes from the starter unless somebody moved them elsewhere. There should be multiple fusible links attached to the main post with the battery cable.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Alexandra
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Mar 24, 2011, 5:34 AM
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After all that, it turns out the problem was far simpler than I imagined. I was the lucky one who just happened to buy TWO voltage regulators that were bad out of the box. Third time is the charm I guess.
Thanks for the help Hammer Time. By the way, I found the fusible link you were telling me about. It turns out that you know more about my car than I do. I'm sure I'll stump you though when I start working on the transmission. 
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Mar 24, 2011, 9:33 AM
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TWO BAD REGULATORS out of the box! That Will cause hair loss. Actually at the age they may not have been stored properly. If I recall you can adjust them and if you dare take them apart a clean the points inside!
I think you'll have a hard time stumping Hammer. Good luck with the project,
T
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Hammer Time
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Mar 24, 2011, 4:11 PM
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I earned my stripes working on cars like that when they were new. Back then wiring diagrams were something only the dealers had. They were just coming out with the first ignition scope that had a round CRT and the unit was the size of a dining room hutch and only the rich people had one.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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re-tired
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Mar 24, 2011, 5:19 PM
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Speaking of scopes.Whilst i was in the military. I was doing hot rodding for a hobby.I wanted an O scope so ordered a kit one made by honeywell and sold by radio shack. It was a regular lab scope . BUt seeing how i was in aircraft aviontics I made up my own adaptors and leads. It was a very accurate scope , with adjustments galore. I could even read dist shaft wobble. I used it till the 90's when i sold it to a collector for twice what I paid.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
(This post was edited by re-tired on Mar 24, 2011, 8:34 PM)
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