V8 Ranger Alternator Question
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V8 Ranger Alternator Question
I have an 83 Ranger someone put a 71 302 Torino motor in.The alternator has two wires hooked up,one is grounded to the battery and the other is hooked to the battery side of of the selenoid.I've been searching but haven't found the way it should be hooked up.The way it is isnt right...right?I dont know much about it but I've read alot of posts talking about a regulator.
I have a meter someone let me borrow and hooked it to the battery.It dosent have amps,it has AC volts and it seems to stay around 18 no matter what I'm running or the RPM's.After a few minutes it drops to 16.
Someone spent alot of time and money getting the truck where it is but now I'm holding the bag and don't have a clue how to fix it.Sometimes it starts right up and others it's dead...no rhyme or reason.
One more thing...The coil is hooked to a toggle switch,Only way to shut motor off is with the switch.Anyone know where I should run the wire from the coil? -
Thanks and sorry so long winded-
Rick
I have a meter someone let me borrow and hooked it to the battery.It dosent have amps,it has AC volts and it seems to stay around 18 no matter what I'm running or the RPM's.After a few minutes it drops to 16.
Someone spent alot of time and money getting the truck where it is but now I'm holding the bag and don't have a clue how to fix it.Sometimes it starts right up and others it's dead...no rhyme or reason.
One more thing...The coil is hooked to a toggle switch,Only way to shut motor off is with the switch.Anyone know where I should run the wire from the coil? -
Thanks and sorry so long winded-
Rick
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The first thing you need to figure out is what you have? If you have a one wire alternator, then it's only going to have one wire with no regulator. If you have a Ford alternator, then yes, you need a regulator.
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If it's a Ford alt, you should have a large stud for the output wire, and three smaller studs coming out the rear. The smaller ones will be "F" for field, "S" for stator, and I think the other one will be ground. If this is what you have, and the ranger has a ammeter in the dash, you can hook it up this way.
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Thanks alot Franklin2.I've seen your diagram in alot of posts but I cant find the regulator.When I do the diagram will be the fix because I have two small studs that arent hooked to anything.What does it look like?It probably wont be where it should be because everything has been modified including an electric fan and aluminum radiator.Thanks so much for your help-Rick
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The regulator is a small square metal box about 3"X4" and it will have 3 or 4 slide on connectors coming out one side. On the plastic connector retainer it will have "I A S F" letters designating the terminals.
Here's a picture.
Here's a picture.
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Okay Franklin2,didnt find anything like the pic you showed me.I did find a ceramic looking box about 3-4" long mounted on the fender with a bolt in the middle and 4 places for wires to clip on.Someone said this is the old style regulator...is that right?Thanks-Rick
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From: Virginia
That doesn't sound right. The old regulators looked just like the picture above, except the box was taller. The one above is the new style solidstate(low profile), and the old ones were mechanical relay type. Only the restoration freaks look for the old relay style. Everybody else uses the solidstate and it interchanges with the old style.
If the ceramic thing is white, it might be an old ignition coil resistor like what was used on a chrysler product.
If the ceramic thing is white, it might be an old ignition coil resistor like what was used on a chrysler product.
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yeah it is white.There are some wires hooked to it but I haven't checked to see where they go.What is/was it used for?I'm not finding the regulator so I'll go to Autozone in the morning and pick one up.Thanks for all your help-Rick
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Most ignition systems use a resistor in the hot wire to the coil. This limits the current surge when the points and or ignition box close the circuit to the coil. Some of the later model Fords with TFI and the GM HEI do not use a resistor.
The ones that do use a resistor either use the white block you have, or they use a special resistance wire made into the factory harness.
Pull all the wires off one end, and try to start it. If it won't fire, then it's hooked up.
The ones that do use a resistor either use the white block you have, or they use a special resistance wire made into the factory harness.
Pull all the wires off one end, and try to start it. If it won't fire, then it's hooked up.
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Okay,I put a regulator on and everything is good now.Thanks alot Franklin2,that was easy enough.The ceramic resistor has wires hooked up but dosen't shut off when I pull any of the wires.Got alot of noise in the radio,is this resistor supposed to stop that?Any suggestions how to make the engine noise stop?I hooked a ground wire from block to motor but noise is still there.Thanks again-Rick
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