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Jun 2, 2004 | 08:52 PM

#16

Fritolay

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2004

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From: in the springs

double sheck all the wires but dont rule out the regulator these things are finicky i had one that checked good and worked fine till the radiator got hot then it wouldnt work at all. but every time the parts guys checked it they couldnt find anything wrong. i got a new one tried it no more problem. remember any engine control switch in the engine compartment can test fine but fail when hot.

Jun 3, 2004 | 09:39 AM

#17

txwing

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Joined: Jun 2003

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Yeah, I'll keep that in mind. I should change it anyway.

Thanks,
TA

Jun 4, 2004 | 07:52 AM

#18

txwing

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Senior User

Joined: Jun 2003

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Well guess what?... Even though the regulator checked out fine before I got the ALT, I replaced it and the ALT light went away.
Thanks all!

Jan 14, 2005 | 04:26 PM

#19

1972-34ton

Rabbit-Hole Researcher

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 466

Likes: 6

From: Middle of Ohio

Another report on a bad new regulator

I also received a bad regulator from Carquest. It was a Carquest brand 166x style unit. I would have had a real time of finding the issue, but every other item had been replaced.

Just a note: any bad part in the battery-regulator-alternator system can damage the others. (voice of experience

)

Kevin

Jan 23, 2005 | 07:15 PM

#20

KCampbell

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 61

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From: Bothell, WA

I had two brand new regulators in a row that were bad. Went to my NAPA store and they have a solid state regulator that works really well. The traditional regulator has a coil of some sort like an electro magnet, and seem to be trouble prone. The solid state version is much thinner than the regular variety, which is an easy way of telling the two apart.

Kevin

Jan 24, 2005 | 10:11 PM

#21

baitmaster

Posting Guru

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 1,622

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From: nevada

The last time I installed a regulator on my '72, the instructions said to make sure to have it mounted before you plug any wires to it. It has to be grounded before hook up. I am getting ready to do away with mine and install a 1 wire alt/w internal reg. Just want to make sure I get it in right and dont burn down truck in middle of night.

Jan 25, 2005 | 10:12 AM

#22

heep70

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 382

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From: Bonney Lake,WA USA

I did the one-wire alt on my truck. It turned out great.

Feb 1, 2005 | 10:15 AM

#23

txwing

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Joined: Jun 2003

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Although this is an OLD thread.... I just wanted to let you all know what I found to be the problem.
It was NOT the alternator, but the wire harness that go into the voltage regulator (small box next to the radiator). The cables were getting loose from time to time, and when I pushed the cables in, the ALT light turned off.

Works great now!

Last edited by txwing; Feb 1, 2005 at 10:18 AM.