Electrical problem

[mikekelley]

I have created a problem with the electrical system in my 66 C10 pickup. The old alternator was not producing enough output to keep the headlights from dimming at idle. Plus there was bearing noise from it as well. So, I purchased an 80 amp alternator from Summit Racing that worked with an external regulator.

It worked for a few trips, but then it happened. While I was driving to a cruise night, I turned on my headlights and started to smell something electrical burning. The amp gauge was charging very much. I turned off the headlights and headed home. Eventually the charging quit and then it would not charge at idle. When I got home I discovered that the headlights would not work. All other lights work.

I'm going to replace the external regulator alternator with an internal regulator. I've purchased a kit that will allow me to do that. I plan to work on that this afternoon.

Any ideas what could be causing the headlights not to work? I wonder if the headlight switch could not handle the extra amperage and I figure that the regulator could not handle it either. I looked for an external regulator that would help the extra amperage, but have not been able to find one that I could afford. So, that is why I'm switching to an internal regulator alternator.

Thanks for any help with this you can give me.

[mikekelley]

Well, I got the alternator with the internal regulator installed. After getting the truck started I discovered that the high beams work. It is the low beams that do not work. So, I'm thinking that I need to replace the dimmer switch. So, I'll get one ordered and installed and hopefully the low beam headlights will work.

[goldandwhite]

It's amazing how often headlight problems end up being traced to a faulty dimmer switch.

[60apache575]

I had the same problem on my 1962 p/u 15 years ago. So I automatically replaced my dimmer switch when I replaced the complete wiring harness on my 1960 apache truck.

[meanmadmaxwell]

I had this same issue on my 64. I tore the dimmer switch apart and freshened it up a bit. Now it works fine.