Notices

Voltage Regulator-problem?

Old Feb 2, 2005 | 05:47 PM
  #1  
longview1's Avatar
longview1
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 0
From: Grande Prairie, AB
Voltage Regulator-problem?

Guys,
The volt reg. is the silverbox on the fender beside the solenoid right?
How does one test to see if it is working correctly?

My 78 been acting weird, lights dim,blinkers stop working,then bout 10-15 mins later she dies. Wont start,dead battery. Sometimes i can drive for an hour wihtout a problem. Or after it happens, I get a jump and everything is back to normal. Ive got my alt off, just gotta get it tested.
The batt was 13.6 volts when running yesterday after i got jumped. It read 12.5 today before i started it. Then as it was idleing (about to die any minute) it was reading 6.25 and dropping.

Any ideas??
TIA
 
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2005 | 06:05 PM
  #2  
LxMan1's Avatar
LxMan1
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Could be a bad regulator. They are cheap, jst replace it. Also, inspect the wiring for bad connections or broken wires. Yes it is the silver box near the solenoid.
 
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2005 | 06:18 PM
  #3  
longview1's Avatar
longview1
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 0
From: Grande Prairie, AB
Ok, Ill geta new one tomorow. Should i go to Ford to get one or will napa do??
I checked all connections,cleaned batt post, cleaned grounds, followed wires. Seems all good.
 
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2005 | 06:36 PM
  #4  
LxMan1's Avatar
LxMan1
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Napa will be fine for a regulator.
 
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2005 | 06:41 PM
  #5  
Jerry Gougeon's Avatar
Jerry Gougeon
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Ont. Can.
longview : If your alternator tests ok it should be your regulator unless like has been mentioned you have bad wiring some place or a bad ground .

I replaced the little silver printed circut regulator on my "78 3 times in one year
so I went to the bone yard and got an old one with the breaker points , which are also adjustable and plug right into the same plug and have not reolaced it for 16 years .
 
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2005 | 10:20 PM
  #6  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
13.6 sounds a little bit low, especially when it's charging a very low battery. If the reg does not fix it, the alt should.
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2005 | 09:23 PM
  #7  
longview1's Avatar
longview1
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 0
From: Grande Prairie, AB
I got an update:
I got my alternator tested yesterday at Napa(went other places, tehy wanted to charge me 20$, i said haha, ill go elsewhere) Napa just moved into a new building so they didnt have their voltage regualtor checker unit.
The alternator checked out fine, so i bought a new Volt Reg, (13$)
Got a jump today, truck ran fine while i was out, but i put my muilti meter on the bat,(using the batt-12v selection) And it didnt read a thing. Lights were good and bright.
But maybe tomorow it will happen aghain. Have to wait and see I guess.
Thanks guys
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 02:08 AM
  #8  
botz244's Avatar
botz244
Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: anchorage
must be nic to live in the lower 48 here in alaska napa and smuckes say there cant check the regulators
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Feb 19, 2005 | 08:23 PM
  #9  
longview1's Avatar
longview1
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 0
From: Grande Prairie, AB
Hmm, well, at least they arent expensive to replace, might as well just buy one if thats the probable culprit. Thatsa what i did.l
 
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:51 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic 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 | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE