Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017 AT 8:06 AM
JIM MATHENY
- MEMBER
- 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA
- 6 CYL
- 14,500 MILES
Is the voltage regulator built into the alternator?
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Voltage regular
8 Replies
STEVE W.
- MECHANIC
- 13,560 POSTS
Yes and no. The regulator itself is in the alternator but it gets a control signal from the ECM to actually operate. What is the issue you are having?
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Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017 AT 8:17 AM
GREENBAYPACKERJIM
- MEMBER
- 4 POSTS
Not charging the battery and drains out when ever the air or lights are on.
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Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017 AT 11:39 AM
GREENBAYPACKERJIM
- MEMBER
- 4 POSTS
Yes. Will jump start and as soon as you turn one or the other on. Battery store checked the battery
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Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017 AT 11:57 AM
STEVE W.
- MECHANIC
- 13,560 POSTS
Have an actual charging system test done not just a battery load test. It sounds like you have a bad alternator but it could also be that the unit isn't being controlled properly or has a bad cable to the battery. A system test can show where the issue actually is.
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Wednesday, August 2nd, 2017 AT 1:54 PM
GREENBAYPACKERJIM
- MEMBER
- 4 POSTS
Thank you. Would Auto Zone or someplace like that do it?
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 5:34 AM
STEVE W.
- MECHANIC
- 13,560 POSTS
They have the tools, but most of the counter people do not really know how to use them very well.
If you have an AC/DC volt meter (even the cheap/free harbor freight ones will do for this) you can do a quick test. Check battery voltage with the engine off, now test it with the engine running.
EOV - 12.6 VDC on a fully charged good battery.
ERV - 13.6 - 15.0 VDC with a good alternator.
Switch to AC and you should see less than 1/2 volt AC. any higher and the rectifier has at least one bad diode.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator
If you have an AC/DC volt meter (even the cheap/free harbor freight ones will do for this) you can do a quick test. Check battery voltage with the engine off, now test it with the engine running.
EOV - 12.6 VDC on a fully charged good battery.
ERV - 13.6 - 15.0 VDC with a good alternator.
Switch to AC and you should see less than 1/2 volt AC. any higher and the rectifier has at least one bad diode.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 6:44 AM
GREENBAYPACKERJIM
- MEMBER
- 4 POSTS
Thank you. I will try that
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Friday, August 4th, 2017 AT 8:24 AM
KEN L
- MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
- 48,323 POSTS
Steve W. Is one of our best.
Please let us know what happens.
Cheers, Ken
Please let us know what happens.
Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, August 5th, 2017 AT 10:03 PM
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