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From: judith@mit-amt.MIT.EDU (Judith Donath)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: battery/generator probs. in old Ford
Message-ID: <21@mit-amt.MIT.EDU>
Date: Sat, 12-Oct-85 19:52:19 EDT
Article-I.D.: mit-amt.21
Posted: Sat Oct 12 19:52:19 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 14-Oct-85 22:40:32 EDT
Distribution: na
Organization: MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 34
Keywords: generator battery auto


    I have an 1964 Ford Falcon that has developed a problem somewhere in the
electrical system.  It had been off the road for a year, and (not surprisingly)
would not start when needed again.  It was taken to a garage where they
said "Needs new battery".  Got new battery.  Drove it to new home, far from
that garage.  A few days later, the generator light did not shut off im-
mediately after car was started, but remained lit, at first for a few minutes,
and then permanently.  Foolishly ignored this, since the car was starting
fine.   One day it would not start.  Got it jump started, brought it to a
new garage.  They said "Needs new voltage regulator".  Got new voltage
regulator.  A few days later, the generator light starting remaining on.
The garage was closed for a few days, I had some essential errands to run.
Drove around for a few days, and, not surprisingly, got stuck when it
would not start.  Got it jump started, brought it back to the garage.  Having
been jump started, all was fine - no light, nothing.  They looked at it for
a while, tried it out for a couple of days.  Gave it back, saying that if
I revved the engine a lot when I started it, the light would go out, and 
everything would be okay.  Tried this for a few days.  It worked the first
few times (though I thought that revving the engine high isn't good for it)
but now the light is on and nothing makes it go out.  I've learned my lesson
about driving it in this condition, but I really need this car to be 
driveable!  Any clues as to what the problem might be???  (And if you 
are in the Somerville/Cambridge MA area, do you have a garage you could
recommend for an old American car?)

					Thanks,
					Judith

judith@mit-media-lab