LUVTruck.com

Well I just bought a 79 Luv 1.8L, and let's just say it's been a project. So far it's got a new Battery, Starter, Alternator, Ignition Coil, Fuel Pump, Spark Plug Wires, Distributor, and Voltage Regulator..I'm sure i'm missing something. Anyways, I've searched all over but can't quite seem to find what I'm looking for. My generator light has been on since the day i drove it home. My question is;

My aftermarket stereo won't work when the headlights are on while moving, but just sittin in the driveway everything works fine..The same goes for some 4" round lights I wired in. Work just fine when I'm sittin still, but as soon as I start movin, the truck will even almost die, and did die one time on me. And I have relays for the lights and the radio is fused where it should be. I drove it during the day yesterday and wired the radio to a toggle switch just for shits to see what's goin on and with just the radio on it works fine, as soon as i turn the lights on the radio will shut off, then turn back on a couple seconds later, and repeat this till i shut the lights off.

I did the whole Volt Meter test and everything seems to be charging fine, the one thing I haven't done yet is cleaned/replaced the fuses on the driver's inner fender. I'm just hoping someone here can help me out. The truck runs great, it should with only 20,000 miles on the new motor, I just wish I could figure out this electrical issue. Thanks alot in advance, your help is greatly appreciated.

Justin

''the one thing I haven't done yet is cleaned/replaced the fuses''

Not the fuses, the fuse box. LUV's have a weak link in the electrical system, the fusebox. The terminals the wires connect are riveted to the fuse holders. A little age and corrosion, and you get electrical intermittents. I solved mine by taking it apart and soldering the joints. Others have cleaned it with lemon juice, and others a new fuse box.

not to discredit other's responses but when you replaced the alternator did you get a completely stock replacement, or did you get a bigger/beefier one that puts out more volts. i have a 79 and mine wasnt that bad but i put a deck in mine and had serious dimming issues when using the lights and stereo at the same time (ok so i also have an amp and sub hooked up too!) after having this issue i installed a .5 farad power cap and all my issues are gone. i know it's 2 different symptoms but could just be different severities. might be worth looking into, especially if you can toss one in just to see if that helps.