I'm so far convinced that was that issue. Now? I have a feeling my regulator is done. Battery died on me today. No probs. Another put in. But volts don't go more than MAYBE 2° past the center 12V line. I'm pretty sure it's not the alternator. When the gf and I got home after work, needed a boost to get home, I tried something I know will kill an engine with a dead battery and altenator. Turned on the headlights, brake lights, and my backup lights, which are 35W driving lights. Not even a hiccup. I'm more leaning towards about 4-6 0Z of Semtex to fix all the problems. Regulator shouldn't cost all that much. Should it?

And sorry about the extra q in fellow there. Samsung S5 keyboards are rather small when your hands are sore from banging underneath and cold.

 

Regulators are cheap but i would take off the alternator and get it tested. I have never had a regulator fail but have replaced a bunch of alternators over the years.

 

Well damn. Gf is sitting at her night job with a truck that won't start again. New battery got drained in a 20 min drive. We don't have a multimeter or access to one. Truck don't start with a boost apparently and can't get to a shop. I donno if we should get an alt. or reg. to go in it or just bite the bomb and get both.

It's frustrating. It ran fine for 5 days after the other new bits. Makes me.wonder if someone is sabotaging me constantly now.

 

The part about not starting with a boost is a little concerning but that could just be the people involved. Sure sounds like an alternator problem, like i said i have never had or heard of one regulator problem but lots of alternators lose it.

 

^^^^ Or it could be the boost vehicle and/or size/quality of the jumper cables, not enough current getting to down truck. At this point, a charger on the batteries would be a good idea.

And whatever you do, stop driving around a vehiclfe (esp. one with a problematic charging system) without a multimeter in the glove box. It's cheaper than any one component you might find yourself throwing at it not knowing what's wrong.

 

It's fixed now. Gf managed to fjnd a charger and juice it up enuff to get it to the shop. Ended up with another alternator, a higher amp one, and a new negative cable. Turns out the cable was nasty corroded on the end I couldn't see. So. That was another $75. But it runs and charges proper. Getting closer to a truck I won't need to sweat the big stuff anymore!!