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Bad Voltage Regulator Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: alternator problem, Fred Hannaham, Wed, 25 Dec 2002 13:38:17 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Basically, what Daren said.
Three things can go wrong with an alternator - the voltage regulator/brushes fail, the alternator diode pack dies, or the bearings in the alternator die. Quite frankly, about the only reason to rebuild the alternator is because the bearings die, or to replace the diode pack, because you're in there anyway.
By far, the most common reason is a bad VR. The brushes are integral to the Voltage Regulator. Unless you have an oscilloscope or access to an auto electrical shop, it's hard to determine if you've got a bad diode pack. My recommendation is to replace the VR. If that doesn't work, then get a rebuilt alternator, and keep the new VR as a spare.
In the '91, the best way to access the VR is through the hole in the wheel well inner liner where the driveshaft comes through. Remove the negative lead from the battery for safety, and then jack up and support the RF wheel. Take off the wheel. Peek in through the axle hole, and you'll see the bottom of the alternator. Reach around behind it, and you'll feel the VR - it's a diamond shaped device on the back of the alternator. Of course, you've already gone down to the autoparts store and bought a new one, so you know what it looks like.
Undo the two screws holding the VR down, and it'll come out. Lever in the new one, and re-do the screws. I've never be able to do a VR on a newer ('91) era car from above, but it's worth looking at, also.
If you need to replace the alternator, mail order one from one of the vendors on the BB - I got one from Sobstory earlier this year in the $120-$130 range (after you send back the old one for a core). Go for the higher-amperage units, it's worth it.
posted by 12.79.3...
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