Voltage regulation needed?
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Truckee, CA
Voltage regulation needed?
Lately, my '90 F-150 has had a couple of problems that might be related to excess voltage output of the alternator. It blew three of the four headlamp filaments, the radio spontaniously changes presets and the voltmeter seems to show excessive output. I would say that it indicates about fifteen volts after the truck has run for half an hour. That number seems to want to go even higher if I don't run the heater fan on high speed. I haven't tried to change the voltage regulator, which I think is part of the alternator, yet. Anyone have any thoughs on what's going on with my otherwise reliable old pickup? Tom
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Get a volt meter on the battery pronto, you want no more than 14.4 volts, anything more than that will fry the computer, radio, lights. whatever else. It will probably be easier to just replace the entire alternator.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
The voltages you PM'd me are within "normal" range. If it ever exceed ~14.7 then I'd be concerned. 14 to 14.4 is normal, and when the battery is fully charged it's not uncommon to see a little more.
