302 low voltage

[82LTDQS]

I have an 82 LTD with a carbureted 302. New alternator and new external regulator. The car drives fine until I turn my head lights on. then the car sputters at 50% throttle or more. Moreover, the more voltage I use (A/C, wipers) the worse it gets. any suggestions??

[Tiggie]

Check your voltage when you are having the problems.
Check your battery cables and make sure all connections are good and clean. All connectors to the alternator should be clean as well.
The next thing that comes to mind is a weak coil.

[Tiggie]

Forgot to add, YAY another '82 LTD! Pictures Pictures Pictures!

[82LTDQS]

I dont think the forum would like the pictures.

[82LTDQS]

Oh, the coil and the ignition control are new.

[1987cp]

Sounds offhand like excessive resistance in either the headlight circuit or the charging circuit, perhaps as simple as a corroded connector, perhaps as annoying as a large handful of badly chafed wires. There's got to be something in there putting excess load on the charging system when the lights are on.

Tiggie, I think it's highly unlikely, but do you know of any reason the Duraspark II module itself should be involved in these symptoms? Like maybe for some dumb reason there's only a normal system voltage drop going on but the module just isn't liking it?

[Lincolnmania]

make sure the altenator is charging.....should be at least 13 volts at idle.....could be a bad wire somewhere put the headlights on see what the voltage drops to

[82LTDQS]

Will check, Thank you. Oh, How do you think the forum would feel about a Pontiac / Ford LTD hybrid?

[88MercWagon]

I second the alternator and battery cable idea. If there was that much of an excessive load from the lighting system, wouldn't a fuse give out?

[1987cp]

Will check, Thank you. Oh, How do you think the forum would feel about a Pontiac / Ford LTD hybrid?

That depends ..... what sort of Pontiac/LTD hybrid do you have in mind? I think one with a Buick turbo-6 would be awfully nifty, but if that were the plan I assume you would've said Buick.

[P72Ford]

Will check, Thank you. Oh, How do you think the forum would feel about a Pontiac / Ford LTD hybrid?

I'd love it if it were a 389, 400, 421, or 455 w/ a TH400. Then again it would also be sweet with a BBF, 385 series or FE.

[CheeseSteakJim]

Will check, Thank you. Oh, How do you think the forum would feel about a Pontiac / Ford LTD hybrid?

Post pictures and find out! I don't think anyone is going to flame you for it.

[82LTDQS]

For some reason, I cant post a long reply with the car's info. I will keep this short and start a new thread. Thanks for the interest guys.

[82LTDQS]

I promise to get good pics loaded soon

[1987cp]

For some reason, I cant post a long reply with the car's info. I will keep this short and start a new thread. Thanks for the interest guys.

Is the server timing out your login? I had that happen to me constantly until Blaze86Vic told me to check the "Remember Me" box when signing in. Now I can stay logged in for as long as I want.