Voltage Regulator
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lewistown, PA
Voltage Regulator
I suspect my voltage regulator is about to take a crap.
The other night I was reving my truck up a bit and noticed that
the headlights would dim and then brighten as I reved the engine.
I know that the battery is good as well as the connections.
So what do you think? Am I right by assuming this?
On a side note I looked at the voltage regulator and noticed that it is a Motorcraft unit with the Ford part #. It also has some of the Ford Blue paint left on it. My question is: Could this be the factory peice? Is it possible for a voltage regulator to last 28 yrs?! Thanks as always.
The other night I was reving my truck up a bit and noticed that
the headlights would dim and then brighten as I reved the engine.
I know that the battery is good as well as the connections.
So what do you think? Am I right by assuming this?
On a side note I looked at the voltage regulator and noticed that it is a Motorcraft unit with the Ford part #. It also has some of the Ford Blue paint left on it. My question is: Could this be the factory peice? Is it possible for a voltage regulator to last 28 yrs?! Thanks as always.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Originally Posted by 77300i6
I suspect my voltage regulator is about to take a crap.
The other night I was reving my truck up a bit and noticed that
the headlights would dim and then brighten as I reved the engine.
I know that the battery is good as well as the connections.
So what do you think? Am I right by assuming this?
The other night I was reving my truck up a bit and noticed that
the headlights would dim and then brighten as I reved the engine.
I know that the battery is good as well as the connections.
So what do you think? Am I right by assuming this?
Originally Posted by 77300i6
On a side note I looked at the voltage regulator and noticed that it is a Motorcraft unit with the Ford part #. It also has some of the Ford Blue paint left on it. My question is: Could this be the factory peice? Is it possible for a voltage regulator to last 28 yrs?! Thanks as always.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,544
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From: okc
i had a similar problem with my 76 F-150, the lights and all the electronics would pulse at a steady beat....i replaced the regulator and the pulsing stopped, but the lights still dim at low rpms and get brighter when the rpms go up...i think its more of a alternator problem, well maybe not so much a problem, but im gonna upgrade to a bigger alt anyways....regulators are cheap so if you replace it and its not the problem you will have a spare on hand for next time....
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 353
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From: Bayonne NJ
Have you tested anything or are you just going to throw parts at it until it is fixed? Wish I could afford to do that.
What does the voltage look like at the battery with the engine running? Does it differ with the lights on? Could be the switch causing this. Could be a weak ground.
What does the voltage look like at the battery with the engine running? Does it differ with the lights on? Could be the switch causing this. Could be a weak ground.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 133
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From: Bethlehem, PA
i have a 79 supercab and my lights brighten when i rev the engine too, i think its more so caused by throwin more power to the battery when ya rev it..makin the lights brighter...but it would have to be regulated to a degree....hmmmm
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Brentwood,CA
Originally Posted by 77300i6
Thanks guys for your replys.
Is it possible I wonder to still get a Motorcraft peice?
Or do I just get (limited to) a POS from autozone, AA, ect.?
Is it possible I wonder to still get a Motorcraft peice?
Or do I just get (limited to) a POS from autozone, AA, ect.?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
here is the part number GR-540B . it is 27.00 at www.rockauto.com about 35.00 at the ford dealer. ford makes most parts still for these www.motorcraft.com
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: lino lakes, mn
make sure all your battery conections are clean and all your grounds are clean then put a volt meter on the battery check voltage runnig with no lights on then turn on everthing if the voltage stays between 13.7 to 14.7 you regulator is ok.
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From: Lewistown, PA
Originally Posted by LxMan1
Could the belt be slipping when you first rev it up causing the alternator to momentairily slow down?
I know the battery is good as well as the cables, connections, grounds, ect.
I have plans to upgrade to a larger alternator.....later (lol)
The Motorcraft peice is more expensive than the "other guys", but I like to use as many Ford parts as I can.
I'll work on it this weekend and let you guys know. Thank you everyone for your replys.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Easton,Ks
Make sure that the voltage regulator is grounded, replacing the regulator will fix this ground but taking the old one off and putting back on will fix it too.
I found this out the hard way a few years back.
I found this out the hard way a few years back.