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> Alternator - Voltage Regulator, WTF
Mblizzard
post May 7 2013, 07:17 PM
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Ok seems simple. Voltage light on dash on. Battery dies. Replaced voltage regulator with a wells VR650. Light on dash off. All seems good. But voltmeter shows the voltage dropping the longer the car runs until it dies. Voltage does not change regardless of engine speed.

Put the old regulator back on. Light on dash stays on regardless of engine speed. But voltmeter shows an increase in voltage with engine speed. I have not gotten the battery charged yet to see if running the engine discharges the battery.

I am at a loss as to what try next.
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r_towle
post May 7 2013, 07:27 PM
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Seriously, tap the VR a few times, it may be stuck.
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bcheney
post May 7 2013, 08:27 PM
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QUOTE(r_towle @ May 7 2013, 09:27 PM) *

Seriously, tap the VR a few times, it may be stuck.


My six conversion is acting up with alt/reg issues. Has operated with no issues showing close to 14 volts on the gauge under power. Mine is a 2.2 carbed car with webers, MSD, internally regulated alternator and standard point ignition. A few days ago the gauge started reading 12 volts. I put a meter on the battery while its at idle and it says 11.85 volts. I share your pain as I have always been challenged by figuring out electrical problems....Maybe some of The 914World house experts can chime in and help us out...
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Mblizzard
post May 7 2013, 08:48 PM
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QUOTE(r_towle @ May 7 2013, 05:27 PM) *

Seriously, tap the VR a few times, it may be stuck.


I am afraid if I tap on it my frustration may cause me to get a bigger hammer! But I will try anything.
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SLITS
post May 8 2013, 06:48 AM
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QUOTE(bcheney @ May 7 2013, 07:27 PM) *

QUOTE(r_towle @ May 7 2013, 09:27 PM) *

Seriously, tap the VR a few times, it may be stuck.


My six conversion is acting up with alt/reg issues. Has operated with no issues showing close to 14 volts on the gauge under power. Mine is a 2.2 carbed car with webers, MSD, internally regulated alternator and standard point ignition. A few days ago the gauge started reading 12 volts. I put a meter on the battery while its at idle and it says 11.85 volts. I share your pain as I have always been challenged by figuring out electrical problems....Maybe some of The 914World house experts can chime in and help us out...


Mine (2.7L) doesn't show correct charge until 2K (approximate) RPM on startup. I have to blip the throttle to get the light to go out.

The diode or diodes in the alternator could be bad. The alternator makes AC voltage and is then rectified to DC.

The brushes could have gone south (worn out).

Pull the alt and have it tested.
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Mblizzard
post May 8 2013, 07:23 AM
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[/quote]
Pull the alt and have it tested.
[/quote]

That is what I was afraid of. Can't I just take a swift kick in the groin?
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SLITS
post May 8 2013, 07:29 AM
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[quote name='Mblizzard' date='May 8 2013, 06:23 AM' post='1861130']
[/quote]
Pull the alt and have it tested.
[/quote]

That is what I was afraid of. Can't I just take a swift kick in the groin?
[/quote]

No Pain .. No Gain (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)




Really ... if you don't show 13.8 VDC at the battery at fast idle with a good VR, the alt is suspect (or corroded terminals / high resistance wiring in the battery cables as in old).
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Cap'n Krusty
post May 8 2013, 07:50 AM
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Before you go any farther. Check the fuses and their connections. Then buy a genuine Bosch voltage regulator.

The Cap'n
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bcheney
post May 8 2013, 08:10 AM
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QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ May 8 2013, 09:50 AM) *

Before you go any farther. Check the fuses and their connections. Then buy a genuine Bosch voltage regulator.

The Cap'n


Cap'n does your advice apply to scenarios apply? I guess I shouldn't have chimed in on this problem with my problem..Let me know. Thanks
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Mblizzard
post May 8 2013, 10:33 AM
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Hard to guess against the Captian! But if the light was on with the Wells I would be content in that but there is only one thing to do. Where do I get the Bosch vetsion?
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luskesq
post May 8 2013, 10:44 AM
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QUOTE(SLITS @ May 8 2013, 05:48 AM) *

QUOTE(bcheney @ May 7 2013, 07:27 PM) *

QUOTE(r_towle @ May 7 2013, 09:27 PM) *

Seriously, tap the VR a few times, it may be stuck.


My six conversion is acting up with alt/reg issues. Has operated with no issues showing close to 14 volts on the gauge under power. Mine is a 2.2 carbed car with webers, MSD, internally regulated alternator and standard point ignition. A few days ago the gauge started reading 12 volts. I put a meter on the battery while its at idle and it says 11.85 volts. I share your pain as I have always been challenged by figuring out electrical problems....Maybe some of The 914World house experts can chime in and help us out...


Mine (2.7L) doesn't show correct charge until 2K (approximate) RPM on startup. I have to blip the throttle to get the light to go out.

The diode or diodes in the alternator could be bad. The alternator makes AC voltage and is then rectified to DC.

The brushes could have gone south (worn out).

Pull the alt and have it tested.

Slits, if you have upgraded to an internally regulated alternator, they recommend a 91 ohm resistor added to the alternator light. My light drops out at about 1k rpm.

Keith
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damesandhotrods
post May 8 2013, 11:22 AM
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I just replaced my voltage regulator about a month ago. I got a Bosch replacement from Pelican. Life has been better ever since…
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Drums66
post May 8 2013, 12:00 PM
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....My advice, convert to electronic(VR) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)
I.ve been using Borg warner, with no issue's for yrs
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
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damesandhotrods
post May 8 2013, 12:06 PM
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I goofed; it is a Hella not a Bosch. But judging by the size I’m pretty sure the Hella is an electronic voltage regulator. And it’s a plug in replacement…
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Mblizzard
post May 8 2013, 03:34 PM
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Did not find a voltage regulator on the bird site. You have a place and prat number for that Hella? I guess that I will just have to replace the alternator! But that kick would still be my preferred option.

Charges the battery. 13 plus volts. Did not have time to see if it was discharging but the car dies when the cable is removed. Will drive it a bit tonight with the lights on to verify the discharge.

As a side note, the PO had the voltage meter wired in an odd way. They had the lead from the alternator run to the meter then a return wire to the starter. I replaced that wiring with a factory center console set up. Maybe I will put that meter back in the loop to see what happens. But it should not make any difference but who knows with a 40 year old cars wiring system?
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SLITS
post May 8 2013, 03:54 PM
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QUOTE(luskesq @ May 8 2013, 09:44 AM) *

QUOTE(SLITS @ May 8 2013, 05:48 AM) *

QUOTE(bcheney @ May 7 2013, 07:27 PM) *

QUOTE(r_towle @ May 7 2013, 09:27 PM) *

Seriously, tap the VR a few times, it may be stuck.


My six conversion is acting up with alt/reg issues. Has operated with no issues showing close to 14 volts on the gauge under power. Mine is a 2.2 carbed car with webers, MSD, internally regulated alternator and standard point ignition. A few days ago the gauge started reading 12 volts. I put a meter on the battery while its at idle and it says 11.85 volts. I share your pain as I have always been challenged by figuring out electrical problems....Maybe some of The 914World house experts can chime in and help us out...


Mine (2.7L) doesn't show correct charge until 2K (approximate) RPM on startup. I have to blip the throttle to get the light to go out.

The diode or diodes in the alternator could be bad. The alternator makes AC voltage and is then rectified to DC.

The brushes could have gone south (worn out).

Pull the alt and have it tested.

Slits, if you have upgraded to an internally regulated alternator, they recommend a 91 ohm resistor added to the alternator light. My light drops out at about 1k rpm.

Keith


I don't use the internal VR. There was a problem when the engine got hot and being the VR is close to the case, the light would come on from an overheated VR and give the driver a heart attack as he would think he lost his cooling due to a broken belt.

Maybe it's a poor excuse but I am known for those.
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Cap'n Krusty
post May 8 2013, 04:49 PM
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914s are not known for losing cooling function when the alternator belt breaks .....

The Cap'n
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ThePaintedMan
post May 8 2013, 05:08 PM
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QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ May 8 2013, 06:49 PM) *

914s are not known for losing cooling function when the alternator belt breaks .....

The Cap'n


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
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mepstein
post May 8 2013, 05:19 PM
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QUOTE(ThePaintedMan @ May 8 2013, 07:08 PM) *

QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ May 8 2013, 06:49 PM) *

914s are not known for losing cooling function when the alternator belt breaks .....

The Cap'n


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)


George- The fan is affixed to the crank. It spins when the engine turns over. Not like a 911.
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SLITS
post May 8 2013, 06:24 PM
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Ok Experts .... I run a 2.7L six. Wanna repeat the loss of cooling statement?
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