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Re: Alternator or VR Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Alternator or VR, Bill, Mon, 13 Jan 2003 21:14:37 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
It's usually the voltage regulator, or more likely, the brushes attached to it.
However, the alternator has an internal diode pack, and I've had a diode fail. That will give the same outward appearance as a bad VR - Battery light and no charge. For that, I'd just swap out the alternator.
If you can get the car to a shop, or happen to have an oscilloscope handy, you can quickly find out if it's the VR or a bad diode with the alternator in the car. Otherwise, it all depends on your circumstance. It is possible to replace the VR with the alternator in the car, and it is the cheapest and easiest approach. If that doesn't do it, then replace the alternator.
I'm going to assume you've checked out the other things. First, the Battery light does come on, doesn't it? I assume the battery light was on for a while when your son was driving on the highway.
If the alternator stops working, the car will run for a while on the battery - up to 45 minutes, depending on the electrical load (headlights, fans, brake lights, etc..), but you should have a Battery light indicating the alternator isn't charging.
If you don't have a battery light, it could be much simpler. There is a wire from the battery to the dashboard Battery light (through the ignition switch) to the Voltage Regulator. This path provides the current required to 'bootstrap' the alternator when you first start the car. If the bulb burns out or the wire comes off, (1) the alternator will never charge the battery, and (2)you won't get a battery light if you turn the car to ON, (3) you won't get a battery light while driving.
Make sure the battery light circuit is in place. Of course, use a meter to determine if the alternator is outputting current, and that the battery connections are good.
I'm trying to get more info about 'it just died' to make sure you're going after the right problem.
posted by 192.249....
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