When you say "the heater cable seems energized..." you mean it's getting HOT
to the touch? That's a sure sign that you have a ground problem between the
engine and frame. The poor heater cable is trying to act like a ground strap
and carry the return path electrical current from the engine to the frame.
Get a good ground cable and run it around one of the motor mounts, or from
one of the engine to transmission mounting bolts to a good, clean, bolt in
the frame of the B.
Get that problem fixed then see if you still aren't charging. You may only
have one problem... let us know.
Chuck Young
79 Midget
----- Original Message -----
From: <FlynShoot@aol.com>
To: <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2000 3:58 PM
Subject: Battery Not Charging
> I had my alternator rebuilt, but my battery keeps running down after I
drive
> the car. I think that the alternator is not charging the battery or
providing
> enough current to fire the ignition causing the battery to do all of the
work.
>
> Here are the symptoms:
>
> 1. I charge battery and it holds a charge.
> 2. Car starts.
> 3. I drive around.
> 4. After two or three stops and restarts, battery dead.
> 5. I jump start and car runs fine.
> 6. I get home and charge the battery again.
> 7. At no point does the ignition light come on.
> 8. The car may have a ground problem that occurred when the engine was
> replaced.
> 9. I added an additional grounding strap that made absolutely no
difference.
> 10. The heater cable seems to be energized so is disconnected and taped
off.
> 11. When the turn signals are used, tach jumps around wildly depending on
if
> indicator is flashing and car is at idle. At speed, tach is steady with
> indicator flashing.
>
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> BTW, the car is no longer for sale. After reconsideration and many notes
> saying that I would regret it later, I have decided to keep it. And she
shows
> me her gratitude by with this problem. MGB's are cruel mistresses.
>
> DC Smith
> Flynshoot@aol.com
>
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