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Alternator or Voltage regulator?

Tiny
GENIUSB
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 154,000 MILES
When I start my car cold the alternator charges the battery fine. After running for a while, I assume it get hot and my charging light comes on and the battery drains. How do I figure out which it is or are they one piece?
Thursday, December 6th, 2007 AT 3:56 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
The alternator in yout car has an internal regulator. Change or charge the battery before you install a new alt, or you could kill the new one.
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Thursday, December 6th, 2007 AT 4:13 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi there and welcome to 2carpros.

Use a voltmeter read the battery voltage before you start it up-Now fire it up load the system by turning On the headlights and heater. *** Record the readings, if its reading the same as before you start it-now take a jumper wire hook it up to the F terminal then to the rear housing. If the readings are much higher the regulator is defective-if not the alternator is bad.

What you doing with the jumper wire is bypassing the regulator called full fielding and making the alternator throw out everything its got.


http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_alty_3.jpg



Holler if you need more assistance/Have a nice holidays
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Thursday, December 6th, 2007 AT 4:24 PM

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