fair weather chevy

My 79 k10 doesn't seem to like rain, snow, and, maybe, even high humidity.  It doesn't want to run in these conditions at idle or low RPM.  I've replaced the alternator (several times), wires, cap, rotor and coil.  It's pretty tricky driving in a snow storm at night.  Any suggestions?  

You were right to replace the distributor cap, I'm surprised that didn't cure the problem. Never the less, I would suspect you still have a moisture problem interfering with the ignition. I would double-check the distributor cap and wires. Did you install a new cap or just swap it for another?  

The cap was replaced with a new one.  With everything replaced, I kept thinking the alternator wasn't putting out enough.  During these times (snow or rain) I've got the lights, heater-defroster, and wipers going, but, even if I turn them all off when I stop, the truck still dies.  During regular weather, it idles fine.  

Your truck has a voltmeter on the dashboard. What is it reading when your problems start? There's a story on here somewhere that I did on a Painless Powerstar alternator that I put on my '79 C-10. The story first appeared in the December '06 issue of Custom Classic Trucks (I spelled it out because I know a lot of you don't get the magazine).

Without being able to throw some test equipment on your truck it sounds like your alt. doesn't put out enough amps.

Hope that helps, I've got to get back to what they pay me to *** You didn't think they paid the editors to get on here did you? ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Sorry I just had to laugh.  

what's with the little bleap-out stars? I can't believe it, they censored the word "do."  

what's with the little bleap-out stars? I can't believe it, they censored the word "do."  

I've got it disconnected right now (another story.)

When I'd experience this problem the volt meter would drop down really low.  I could tell that anyway even without looking at the meter.  The lights would get dim, the wipers would slow down, and the blower would slow down, too.

As an experiment, I would turn on everything on a nice day and the truck runs fine.  This is what's driving me crazy.

(Your editors must have a sense of humor, too.  They wanted me to through you a curve for some reason.  Did it work?)  

Sorry... didn't proof read.

...wanted me to throw you a ...  

Editors... curve... huh? I don't get it. Anyways, you've got a heavy current drain that is definately a ghost that appears during moisture conditions. I would eliminate (disconnect) every draw in the wiring circut, and then re-attach until I   isolated the problem — good luck.  

I was just messing with you about the editors.  They said there shouldn't be any further contact, so would you thank them for the check for me?

Your suggestion sounds good, not fun, but good.  I think I may have done this before, but I'll try it again.  Maybe I just thought about doing it and never did.  Maybe that's an age thing, or college days pay back.  Thanks.  (I hate wiring.)  

I'm the editor of Custom Classic Trucks, I don't know who else could have told you a dumb thing like that.  

Now I'm concerned.  Who was that I've been talking with?  He was always in the shadows of the parking garage.  His code name is Tunnel Ram.  

Been reading about your electrical gremlins problem and was wondering if you have checked and cleaned all of your ground connections. I just went through the same gremlin problem myself and mine was a not tight enough ground. Hope this helps. Good Luck!  

What are you concerned about? You have been talking to the editor...  

Thank you John and Smurf1 very much.  I will take your advise to task.  I've been waiting for the weather to improve a little more before starting.  Thanks again.