My 65' Vette arrived this morning. Battery was low coming off the transport. When we jumped it off my truck, one of the idiot transport guys hooked the battery cables up backwards on my truck battery and now the battery in the Vette doesn't want to charge up.

Did that blow a diode in the alternator or something? It was only on for an instant cause of the sparks, but it doesn't take long to fry something.

Any thoughts????

Russ,

How old is the battery and is it an original tar top style?

Are you trying to run the engine to charge it or have a AC Charger?

These cars often sit for long periods of time and is the worst thing you can do to them. I would make sure the water levels are adequate in the battery first, then put a multimeter on it and see what kind of voltage you have. If low volts, I would take it out of the car and try charging it. If it takes a charge, put it back in and start the car. Get a volt reading with the car running. You should get around 13-14V. If not, then it's the voltage regulator or alternator.

The Delco will pop pretty easily, but a moments flash really should not have taken it out. Start the car, check the voltage for aminute with a meter. It should try and come up, tho the alternator will not fully charge it. Does the ammeter swing at all when you atart it??

Parts still available fo the alternator if it's bad, make sure the rebuild shop doesnt swap it out on ya, or paint it pink or something.....

When I jumped it properly it starts right up. The ammeter guage read slightly to the right of "center" for the most part, then as I was headed home it started reading a little farther right (postive vs. left of center which is negative). I would think that the ammeter guage would have read further to the right indicating it was charging more to compensate for the low battery. I left my multimeter in the rain like a dumb azz about two months ago and have been looking for a reason to replace it......

I ran the car about a hundred miles or so this afternoon thinking that would have charged it up. When I got home and shut it down I sat for thirty seconds and tried it. It cranked over VERY slowly but started the engine. I shut it back down, tried it again, and no luck, wouldn't start. Just clicked.

I have two a/c chargers, 2/6 amp and 2/12 amp with booster for starting. I always heard it was better to charge a low battery at a lower rate if time allows. I am putting the six amp on tomrrow and see what happens. I'll jump it off the truck again to start it. I'll check the battery voltage before I start it, then check it again after it's running. Now if I'm correct in my thinking, I can just check the voltage at the battery posts right????? If the alternator is operating it should read 13/14 volts..... I'll pull it out of the car before I put it on the a/c charger.

Does it sound like I'm going in the right direction.???

Thanks guys.....

Man they just don't build cars like these anymore and what a friggin rumbler.....327/365 HP and you should hear the lope in the cam....

Longer, low voltage charge is better if you have the time.

Make sure to clean the battery terminals.

Make SURE the water level is adequate, fill ONLY with distilled water if low. It will not take a charge if the levels are low.

Remember, the guages are "only" 40 years old.

What is the compression ratio? When she is hot, it will start much harder with a high compression motor.

Yes.
Yes.
You're welcome.
No, they don't.
I think I know what you mean!

That's what I'm talkin' bout.

We don't need no stinkin' turbos.....


Ever find who stole the hood??????

Another thought ... the starter could be a little weak and will bind up an groan a little when hot.

Still a conversation piece for the dinner table. Will get to it in my spare time.

Not making any unusual "starter noises", just weak battery noises.....

Best lookin' dinner table I ever saw.....