charging problem. help please

[lostsurfur7]

hey.......i got a 64 belair with a 350 and i recently started having a charging problem. if i go to start the car, its totally dead, but if i jump it it starts up no prob. but the battery is new and once the car is running the voltage is normal so i dont think its the alternator. if anyone has any ideas id really appreciate it--thanks, mike

[MagicRat]

What exactly is the voltage at?

When the engine is off, the battery should produce about 12 volts.
But when the engine is running, the generator (or alternator, depending on how the engine is set up) should produce 13.7 to 14.5 volts. Any less means the generator is not producing sufficient voltage to charge the battery.

Other than that, check and clean up the battery cable terminals.

[lostsurfur7]

yea its readin bout 14 when its runnin.(i got an alternator)i know the cables r hurtin so i'll throw some new ones on n see what happens-thanks

[68elco]

you dont need new ones just take some baking soda mix it with water and dip the tips of the cables in it it will take all the battery acid off

[corning_d3]

Get new cables, ground and hots. It's the corrosion and wire breakage you can't see....