I seem to be having some wierd problems with my voltage.. First, I'll give a brief history of the problem/symptom... About 3 weeks ago when i would come to stops.. occasionally my voltage would drop slowly to about 11.8-12volts then when i pressed the gas..even slighty it would jump right back to normal.

Last few days my Voltage is staying constant at about 15.9-16volts.. battery light just came on as i pulled in the garage.. I have had the battery and alternator tested out and seem fine.. althought they cannot test the voltage regulator because it is built in.

Any information or accurate guesses would eb appreciated.. I'm somewhat of a shadetree mechanic but, when it comes to this I've never had this type of problem before.. I'm hoping that through someone elses misfortune they may have and can advise me.

If i let this go on for a few days am i risking a catastrophy? Alternator is in sumwhat of a tight squeeze and i'm not sure how easy it will be to reconnect the drivebelt.. Here is the vehical info..

2000 Explorer
5.0 AWD
130V alternator w/ built in regulator

I'm not sure if i should rule out checking chassis grounds and what not..but i dont think thats the problem.. fluid has actually came out of the cores of my battery.. way too many volts!!!

Thanks in advance for any ideas/suggestions/assumptions/speculations etc.

 

if yoo have about 150,000 miles it is definitly time to change the alternator. the regulaltor is acting up and under charge, then overcharge. either you have a bad ground strap as you mention , or the regulator is going out. i would get an alternator and install.. i have done a 96 and a 2002. both very similar, not too hard. have to take the air inlet black plastic tube off, then its o.k--- the belt is the hardest part.

 

any suggestions on the belt, to help eaze the process possibly??????... it was my only big concern as well.. just turned 127,000miles :P

 

Test the alt output at the battery with a meter it should be 14.5 or so never over 15 volts.


Dick

 

Too late fot that.. My wife calls me at 2AM on the way home for work... Automatic climate control is stuck on 90 degrees full blast... lights and controls on the steering wheel dont work..dash lights and radio lights are gone.. she asked if i wanted her to stop.. i said hell no!...i'll be in the garage directly!.. so i just did a 10 minute alt. teardown in 20 degree weather at 2:30am ... and i'll be damned if the regulator isnt bolted right onto the alternator just underneath a thins shield... but guess what..they dont sell that seperate.. I have to spring for $180 for a new alternator.. its out now and i'm buying one.. i'm angered at this point.. and if thats not it.. i'll wipe it off and return it tommorow! LOL

thx for the pointer tho!
GPyles

 

You should be able to buy just the regulator at an Auto Electric repair facility. if the alternator has high mileage, you should clean the commutator rings and re lube the bearings as well.

 

replace the whole alternator. these new FORD alternators have hard brushes or soft commutator bars. at about 150,000 the brushes will eat thru the commutator and then short out the regulator. you need the entire unit, best in the long run.

 

Yeah with the amount of miles i had.. i just replaced the whole unit.. took the old one to a good friend of mine thats a mechanic and an electrical genius.. he's fixing it all up for me as a backup.. i'de rather have it sitting in my garage in the corner just in case than have it sent to the parts store and recieve $20-$30