Thanks for the info, I was unaware this could damage the alternator it's how I've always been told to test on a vehicle.
Put in a new Altenator and she seems to be charging fine and battery power is not an issue. Starting however still has issues. I still get the "click click click" when I turn the key, then I turn the key back try again and she starts. I guess I need to go thru all connections and make sure I don't have a loose connection somewhere. I know squat about electrical but I have a buddy who knows his stuff and he's gonna come help me with some trouble shooting.... I've been told it could be as simple as a solenoid but no sense buying one until we test further........
Graham R wrote:
Check the ground points on the engine, there could be a few. They well be corroded or loose. Faulty ground ( -ve) connections can cause some strange issues, including the engine continuing to run with the ignition switched off, as I found a few years ago!
Also, a "1-both-2-off" battery switch should not be turned to "off" with the engine running; nor should the positive or negative cables to the battery/ batteries be disconnected with the engine running; a sure fire way to damage the alternator or to get a spark. If you want to switch from 1 to 2 with the engine running, it should be done via the "both" position; that way the alternator is always connected to a battery when running.
Graham