'66 Charger - Electrical gremlins - any ideas?

[FL_66CHRGR]

I've searched this forum and all over, haven't been able to find anything with my specific issue. I bought this 1966 Charger a few weeks ago. Found out quickly that the charging system wasn't working. Determined that the voltage regulator was bad. Replaced with a VR706, and it does have a single field alternator, which is functioning properly. Someone had cut out the fusible link, and that has now been replaced. All grounds and contacts have been cleaned and checked. Also replaced the starter relay to see if that was the culprit. The charging system is working since replacing the voltage regulator, but this is what is happening:

When the car is off, every few seconds, you can hear a tick or click from the dash, seems to be coming from the area of the alt gauge. If you cut the key on but don't start the car, the alt gauge needle jumps all the way over on the charge side every time this click happens. And the wires are hot, I've been keeping the battery disconnected when not trying to diagnose at this point. When the car is running, this same cycle happens and when the click happens, the alt gauge jumps far right in to the max of the charge side, and the engine cuts out for a millisecond. I originally thought I had a miss in the engine I needed to look at, but now I've found that it's not a miss, it's the engine getting cut when this cyclic spike happens every few seconds. At this point, I'm about to just get up in the dash and start testing everything piece by piece, I'm clueless. If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear.

 

[shorty64]

my suggestion is to put your info on the 66-67Charger.com forum. tons of expertise and tech articles in the Resource Guide.

good luck in solving your problem.

 

[Shorthorse]

That's a good one. When the key is off and you hear the clicking, does the ammeter also move then? If so, that might be what you hear. Is the clicking rhythmic or random? It almost sounds like a circuit breaker going off/on. I noticed on the wiring diagram that there is a circuit breaker for the revolving headlights if you have them. I'm not sure if there are any other circuit breakers in a 66.
It's the hot wires that would bother me the most. You've got to find the source before the unthinkable happens. Possibly start by pulling the fuses, one at a time. Especially the ones (un-switched) that have power at all the times. If that doesn't stop the symptom, then move to the remaining area where power is available at all times (alternator main lead, Horn relay, starter solenoid, ammeter etc).
http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1966/66ChargerA.JPG
http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/1966/66ChargerB.JPG

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

The ammeters had issues from 62 into the 70's.I eliminated the stock connection and used aftermarket AMP & Volt gauges.

 

[FL_66CHRGR]

Problem fixed! After many, many hours. I had a buddy that is much more skilled than I come work on it. He worked overnight all night last night (it's too hot during the day here in FL!). He traced all wires inside and out, and tested everything. He ended up rewiring a few things, repairing a few broken connections, and a burnt fuse. He started about 9:30pm last night, and at exactly 7:52am this morning, he claimed success and the problem is gone! It was a combination of 50 year old stuff, and someone before me trying to find and fix the problem the wrong way. But the charging system is functioning 100% normal now. I'm very thankful, and incredibly happy.