I've noticed a knocking/ticking noise under the hood of my 55 F350. At first I thought I was low on oil. Nope. I was able to pinpoint it to the right side of the engine. My neighbor thought it was coming from the voltage regulator. I got out a rubber hose to use as a stethoscope and he was right. I took the case off the regulator. All looked normal, nothing looked out of place.

What is causing this ticking? It doesn't do it all the time. What should I do about it?

 

At idle the regulator will be cutting in/out regularly, perfectly normal.

 

Thanks Ross. But why didn't I hear it before? Why don't I hear it on my 54?

 

Interesting. "What's the frequency, Kenneth?" Is it rapid fire buzz, or every second or so? Is it the cutout?

 

As I recall, you had a couple of pushrods rattling around before?

 

No that was my 54, this is on my 55 F350. It is definitely coming from the regulator. I put a rubber hose to it and to my ear and I could hear it plain as day. I will try to get a video of it later today so you can hear it.

thanks.

 

Turn on the headlights and see if it stops (at idle).

 

Perhaps a change in battery condition or charge level?

 

Yes,, the gen kicks out, it runs off the battery until the battery voltage drops, it kicks back in til the battery voltage is back up, cycle repeats endlessly at idle. If you reduce the idle speed, it will likely reduce the frequency of the cycle; if you increase idle speed enough, it will likely just stay connected. With the headlights on at idle, drawing power, it should stay connected almost constantly. Connect an analog voltmeter, you can watch it happen.

 

So did we determine what the "buzz" was all about?

Along those lines, what's a good way to clean those point contacts on the regulators? I've heard a "point file", but I don't have one of those. They are probably rare today. A crisp dollar bill ($20 in California or Alaska) soaked in solvent like naptha or carb cleaner supposedly works well. Draw it through the contacts several times. I guess it's abrasive enough, but doesn't leave residue.

 

No I did not. I have been busy with other things and then this weekend I was very very sick. Nothing serious but I was in the bathroom like every hour on the hour. Feel better now. I lost about 6 pounds... Not the best way to do it though!

All report back with an update.