Sounds like the regulator, but check that the bulbs are the proper type...
hey all,
i replaced the freeze plug on chub chub and took it for a test drive. solid, however... as always, after fixing something, something else goes wrong on the test drive. this was my first drive at night with headlights on in chub chub. in second gear, i was winding it out a bit. just before i put in the clutch, all my dash lights and headlights flashed super bright. once the clutch was in it was back to normal. minutes later i entered the local 2 lane highway. once i was in third and hit about the same rpm, all the lights flashed again, but then they went out leaving me on the highway in a black car at night with no lights. i was able to turn around and get home safely. i should tell you that i have been jumping my 6 volt system with a 12 volt battery fairly regularly. i am guessing that when my rpm got high enough, it let out a spike and fried my voltage regulator. no bulbs or fuses blew as far as i could see (at night). i'm going to try to work on it this weekend and wondered if anyone had any other ideas what the problem could be?
scott
Sounds like the regulator, but check that the bulbs are the proper type...
it looks like the spike fried all my bulbs (the sockets are still getting current. does this mean my regulator is fine and i should replace the bulbs and stop jumping it with the 12v or is there another problem i should be looking for?
scott
Scott
My regulator stuck and over charged the car , I didn't loose any bulbs but it blew battery acid all over my engine and messed up some chrome. I saw a 6 volt battery explode while being jumped with a 12 volt car so I can't recommend the practice!
[img]graemlins/wavey.gif[/img] Hey Scott,
Sounds Like the Regulator to Me! Also the Spike and Power Surge could have damaged the Chub-Chub's Wiring Insulation Jackets or Connections causing a Short. Those 50+ Year old Wires are pretty delicate and the Wireing
Harnesses were only designed to last 10 Years.
I any case I would get a new Regulator or at least have one on the shelf, they can be pretty finicky. You wouldn't want to breakdown someplace and be stuck without one. I the 50's with thee technology that existed then, the Voltage Regulator was considered the cars brain.
If You haven't replaced yours already, Who knows how long it's been there. Any moisture from condensation can play all sorts of tricks with electrical components.
I Hope this is an Easy Fix for You! [img]graemlins/beers.gif[/img]
[img]graemlins/shield.gif[/img] Tom Gallagher [img]graemlins/shield.gif[/img]
Thanking YOU, for YOUR Valued Cooperation and Experience in This Matter.
NOSTALGIA Is A DEVICE That REMOVES The RUTS and POTHOLES From MEMORY LANE.
Tom Gallagher (BUICK BANSHEE)
1956 Buick Special 2 Door H/Top 46R: Red & White
Darlington Station, RI. 02861
hey judd and tom,
i managed to locate a 6 volt charger so i won't be doing anymore 12 volt jumping. as far as the wiring... it really all needs to be replaced. it all appears to be original and showing its age. i will get to that as i can. the voltage regulator appears to be very new (one of the only shiny things under the hood) which makes me wonder if the previous owner had the same problem and tried the same solutions. the v reg. looks to be the same as the one in my shop manual. the only numbers i could find on it are... 1115 6v, and -/+ 3cc. do you know if this is a correct part, and are these regulators fairly generic? is it something i can get at a parts store like napa or do i need to order one from a buick specialist? thanks a lot for your help.
scott
scott
Scott,
Go on-line and go to the napa or parts america website and see if you come up with anything. Even a Part Number. You could also try on e-bay there is a guy there who has all sorts of regulators and has an e-bay store the place is planteautoparts.
Either way You should be able to get the Regulator locally.
Good Luck,
Tom Gallagher
Thanking YOU, for YOUR Valued Cooperation and Experience in This Matter.
NOSTALGIA Is A DEVICE That REMOVES The RUTS and POTHOLES From MEMORY LANE.
Tom Gallagher (BUICK BANSHEE)
1956 Buick Special 2 Door H/Top 46R: Red & White
Darlington Station, RI. 02861
thanks again tom, i managed to find the part number (118729 if anyone should care in the future). it can be ordered from napa for $70. buick world has it in their old catalogue for $40, so i'm going to see if i can get one from them. in the meantime, this weekend will be one of rare chances to work on chub chub, so i'm going to do a couple of tests, then just replace a few bulbs and take it for a test drive to see if they blow (now that i'm not jumping it with a 12 volt). i'll report my results next week. good luck to all on their holliday work!
scott
Scott,
Also try Bob's Automobilia. 40 bucks doesn't sound too, too bad. You can probally get it cheeper from Planet Auto Parts E-bay Store.
Let us Know where You got Chub-Chub Outfitted.
Quality Vendors/Suppliers are hard to come-by
Keep the Buick Community Informed.
Tom Gallagher
Thanking YOU, for YOUR Valued Cooperation and Experience in This Matter.
NOSTALGIA Is A DEVICE That REMOVES The RUTS and POTHOLES From MEMORY LANE.
Tom Gallagher (BUICK BANSHEE)
1956 Buick Special 2 Door H/Top 46R: Red & White
Darlington Station, RI. 02861
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