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Re: C3 79 gauge or charging system
Dave,
Is the alternator in stock configuration, as in not a one wire?
I am not specifically familiar with the 79 charging system so I will give some generic ideas.
If it is not a one wire the alternator has a sensing wire to determine the need for charging and has an exciter wire supplying 12 volts to activate it.
It is a fairly common problem for either or both of those wires to be loose in the plug that plugs into the alternator. Corrosion or just people pulling on the wires can cause the problem. If one or both are loose they could be making erratic contact.
Another location to check is the power distribution point. This is the place in the wiring harness where the sensing wire from the alternator connects into the wiring harness. I do not have a wiring diagram of a 79 so I am not sure where that point may be. Later C3's have a junction block in the battery compartment near the battery. Check it also. That may or may not be the sensor connection point.
Check where the charging wire from the alternator hooks to the car.
Loose connections at any of those locations can cause erratic operation of the charging system.
Verle
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