170 gasser ?

My 170 gas has puzzled me. Repaired replaced alternator. Repaired voltage regulator harness. Replaced voltage regulator. Worked great. No problems. A couple months later, will not click or try to turn engine over. Would not jump across post to energize solenoid. What could cause the drain on battery? Could new regulator be stuck and drain it? Thanks, Tracy

Steve, battery is almost new. Alternator checked good. I put a new regulator on it, but I wouldn't swear it is good. Ain't like the old Neihoffs . My meter was dead today, low battery. I will charge up the battery and test from there. Thanks, Tracy

Never pull wires off of a running engine (alternator equipped).  It's a good way to blow the diodes...  

There are "modern" regulators for those old Delcotron alternators, that don't have breaker points inside to stick and run the battery down. They look the same but are electronic on the inside.  A nice upgrade and it still looks original. I'm pretty sure if the regulator points stick when shutting the engine OFF, if you notice (which none of us do), the ammeter will show a slight discharge, and not return to true zero.

An easier method than looking for a spark when touching battery cable to post…. Disconnect the ground cable, and hook a test light between the ground cable end and the negative battery terminal (assuming negative ground). If there’s a draw, the test light will illuminate, and the brightness will give you an idea of how strong the draw is. You can leave it hooked up this way and disconnect components or pull fuses one at a time until the test light goes out. Easy way to find a draw without a multi-meter.

Tracy Martin TN wrote: I checked the voltage this morning, 5.34 volts. I forgot to mention earlier, I had Hannah pull me a ways with the truck trying to start it. Never got a hit or pop. Would that voltage allow a spark, or was it too weak? Going to charge up my battery and see from there. Thanks, Tracy

I charged the battery up. Only shown 11.74 volts on my meter. Hooked it up to tractor, tried starting it, only would buzz the solenoid. Put jumper cables on it from truck, and it started. Pulled the battery out and going to have it checked out. During it running, it showed no charge at ammeter. Unpluged the voltage regulator and re pluged it, still no change. Turned on lights and shows no charge. Voltage regulator is gray in color lid, riveted to base. What couls still be my problem? Any help appreciated. Tracy

I agree the battery is toast


You know what the voltage is not running. With the tractor running, disregard the gauge on the tractor and take reading with your voltmeter. Should be higher than your static (no pun intended) reading. A load test on the battery may indicate a bad cell

I don't know about yours, mine has a GM alternator on it. I read the numbers stamped into it and traced it to a 70 Chevelle application. That is what I told the counter guy at O'Reilly's when I took it in to have them test it. I don't tell it's on a tractor cuz they wont touch it. Since you're going there for the battery, why not have them test alternator as well? That is of course if you have a GM style.

Check your ground strap.  When I got my 8030 last year, it would drain 2 brand new batteries in a week just sitting in the barn!  The braided ground strap did have some green corrosion on it.  I put a new ground strap on and the problem was solved.  So, I would say to check your ground strap and where it grounds to the chassis for corrosion.