Tech QuestionBrad Toovey, Sundre, AB, Canada, 1963 Plymouth Valiant 170 Hello Mr Ehrenberg, About a year ago, I did the headlamp relay conversion as per the Stern lighting website on my '63 Valiant. It worked beautifully, giving the ol' girl better lighting than either of the late-model plastic wrecks that comprise the rest of the household fleet. However, 6 odd weeks ago, the driver's side lamp burned out. I replaced it, 3 weeks after that,both sides burned out(although the right took a rather large rock). Now, both lamps have crapped out again,this time on both the high and low beam circuits. The highs gave up at precisely the same time, cause I watched 'em, with no small amount of panic. I've given the relay connections the once-over, no 'green disease'or anything obvious. I stabbed in a non-halogen lamp I had lying around,it works, it's getting 12.0 volts on both sides,and no huge resistance in the wiring. All replacement lamps have been GE halogens. Any ideas? Thanks in advance. Brad, best guess: Intermittent short in the alternator's rotating field winding, causing the regulator to lose control and the battery voltage to momentatily go very high. Poof! Second place guess: Sticky contacts in electromechanical voltage regulator. Rick
|
Main Index | Current Issue | Tech Q & A | Tech Archive | Subscription | Advertisers Links | Contact Info