Gauges and lights goning crazy, HELP!!!

Lil John · 05-07-2006

I have a 67 coupe and the car is all original. The car was running fine and the other day i noticed it burnt the headlights and dome light. I noticed that all my gauges were pegged out all the way. It has a new voltage regulator, but the altenator looks a lil old. Why is it doing this? If you unplug the regulator they move back a little. I did notice today that the gauges jump as they are moving. They were working fine for about 3 weeks then they did this. Any help is appreciated. Lil John

5.0 in a 66 · 05-08-2006

IVR = Insturment voltage regulator, the cigarette pack sized doohicky on the back of the insurment cluster. When they go bad, the gauges will peg right now! About $40, at a Mustang shop. Some parts stores carry them as well

Lil John · 05-18-2006

Thanks but i think its more to it. My interoir light keeps blowing and it blew both of my high beams. The voltage regulator is new but could it have gone bad? It has some type of current draw because you can undo the battery cable and it still has some draw on it with nothing on. Thanks to all that reply. John

stang36 · 06-15-2006

Sounds like you have a over charging condition.

Check battery voltage before starting the car. You should have around 12.5 volts.
Now start the car, check the battery voltage again. If its the same or slightly higher then base voltage then raise the rpms to around 2k. Keep an eye on the voltage. Is it over 14.5v and steady? If so it sounds like the regulator is bad.

If the alternator was kicking out high voltage it can burn out the lights and the instrument panel voltage regulator.

What do you mean it has a draw when you unhook the battery cable? If you take a test light and undo the + battery cable, touch the pointy end of the light to the cable and the gattor clip end to the + battery post. The light should stay off or be VERY dim, if it comes on then there is a draw on the battery and it will cause the battery to drain while just setting there.

Lil John · 07-02-2006

Let me rephrase it. I have to undo the battery because it always has a current draw. When you leave it connected it kills the battery. When you connect it theres a little spark, some type of draw. Thanks for the reply's.

John