Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

4 prong voltage regulator

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 1, 2015 | 09:02 PM
  #1  
chasthanhburns's Avatar
chasthanhburns
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
4 prong voltage regulator

could someone please tell me how i can test a voltage regulator.
has 4 prong labeled from left to right I,A,S,F.
i presume i should be able to ground case to battery neg,
provide power to A and I to get voltage from F. or
provide power to A and S to get voltage from F. Either case voltage from F should stop when power is removed from I or S.
am i correct in this?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 02:03 AM
  #2  
chasthanhburns's Avatar
chasthanhburns
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
bump

bumpbump
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 11:15 AM
  #3  
chasthanhburns's Avatar
chasthanhburns
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
ANYONE GOT ANY IDEA?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 12:22 PM
  #4  
Tedster9's Avatar
Tedster9
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Welcome to FTE!

What we're really ultimately doing is testing whether the battery is charging, right?

Assuming the battery is good, check to see if the alternator is OK. If Batt and Alt are OK, the regulator is the culprit. Now is a good time to clean connectors and connections, and replace main cables. Alternators "see" high resistance as a battery that needs charging. Here are some checks to run with your multimeter:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/charging_checks.htm
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2015 | 11:25 AM
  #5  
bkaul's Avatar
bkaul
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
Any auto parts store should be able to test the regulator if you take it in.
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2015 | 05:40 PM
  #6  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
1963/64 Thunderbird, 1965/81 FoMoCo vehicles all came with a points style alternator regulator. Has a tall cover painted either black of blue and if you have this type, look on the cover for dents.

The points were notorious for sticking and when this occurred, people rapped on the cover with their knuckles, screw driver handles, etc. in an effort to unstick the points.

1982: Ford replaced the points style regulator with an electronic solid state regulator that has a nearly flat aluminum cover with MOTORCRAFT embossed on the diagonal.

The original 1963/81 alternator/regulator wiring harness...plugs into the electronic regulator, no mods are necessary.
 
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2015 | 05:03 PM
  #7  
four-sixty-power's Avatar
four-sixty-power
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 15
From: Lower Mainland B.C.
Originally Posted by bkaul
Any auto parts store should be able to test the regulator if you take it in.
It sounds like he wants to know the method that the parts store would use, so he can test it himself. Maybe he has like 20 of them to test...
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dnkensinger
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
17
Jun 2, 2017 06:51 AM
blazer350
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Jun 21, 2013 02:50 PM
Ginas01Expy
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
6
Nov 3, 2004 10:30 PM
thuggishruggish3000
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jan 12, 2004 01:56 PM
punchy1
Electrical Systems/Wiring
11
Nov 30, 2003 04:19 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:19 PM.

story-0
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-7
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE