Voltage regulators

[TechnoLoGs]

Again, this is semi about the Taurus, but is applicable to all cars, in as to discussion of operation, diagnosis, and replacement of VR.

OK. The mechanic that did WP yesterday thinks it is a flood car. Says there is no way that much sediment could be in engine bay, and the area floods a lot. He thinks it is. I told him about the symptom: The gauges that like to "wander." Bouncing speedo, and the fuel that gives and takes away a quarter tank, intermittently. That, and the coolant gauge. Since all three gauges on the dash display the same behaviors, I feel it is not an issue with three systems, but rather voltage to the dash. he said "It could be anything. bad ground, there is just so much involved. But it could be the Voltage Regulator."

I am thinking that, IF, the Alternator is the original (pretty sure it is..)
AND it was in a flood, (remember, first battery was 6.1V, Bad Cell, Replace. And we did..)
AND the Voltage Regulator is INTERNAL to the alternator..
.. that I may need a new alternator.

The alternator puts out 14.1V and resting voltage of battery is 12.4V.

armos had a theory about how it could have failed, and putting some waste current in the system. Sometimes, I feel like the whole car hesitates consistent with it. Varying idle, almost as if its receiving 80% of its power sometimes.. This coming from a car hypochondriac and I still have that exhaust leak, (how significant is that?) but the trans cleaned p pretty well. Not 100% perfect but pretty good, given how it was.

What say you???? I want to get that fixed.

 

[Smoky14]

He may be referring to the instrument cluster voltage regulator, not the system regulator.

Smoky

 

[JHZR2]

12.4 is a little low for resting in this weather.

A bad cluster ground will do all those things - see it all the time in older cars.

 

[TechnoLoGs]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
12.4 is a little low for resting in this weather.

A bad cluster ground will do all those things - see it all the time in older cars.


Easy fix? Haynes manual and screwdriver?

 

[Gabe]

Originally Posted By: TechnoLoGs
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
12.4 is a little low for resting in this weather.

A bad cluster ground will do all those things - see it all the time in older cars.


Easy fix? Haynes manual and screwdriver?


It is going to be a nasty project. Ford used some Al connecting pins that were problematic - it could be that.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: TechnoLoGs
Again, this is semi about the Taurus, but is applicable to all cars, in as to discussion of operation, diagnosis, and replacement of VR.

OK. The mechanic that did WP yesterday thinks it is a flood car. Says there is no way that much sediment could be in engine bay, and the area floods a lot. He thinks it is. I told him about the symptom: The gauges that like to "wander." Bouncing speedo, and the fuel that gives and takes away a quarter tank, intermittently. That, and the coolant gauge. Since all three gauges on the dash display the same behaviors, I feel it is not an issue with three systems, but rather voltage to the dash. he said "It could be anything. bad ground, there is just so much involved. But it could be the Voltage Regulator."

I am thinking that, IF, the Alternator is the original (pretty sure it is..)
AND it was in a flood, (remember, first battery was 6.1V, Bad Cell, Replace. And we did..)
AND the Voltage Regulator is INTERNAL to the alternator..
.. that I may need a new alternator.

The alternator puts out 14.1V and resting voltage of battery is 12.4V.

armos had a theory about how it could have failed, and putting some waste current in the system. Sometimes, I feel like the whole car hesitates consistent with it. Varying idle, almost as if its receiving 80% of its power sometimes.. This coming from a car hypochondriac and I still have that exhaust leak, (how significant is that?) but the trans cleaned p pretty well. Not 100% perfect but pretty good, given how it was.

What say you???? I want to get that fixed.


Pull the regulator and bring it to a rebuild shop to have them check it out with a scope. It may be a good idea with or without your mentioned problem.

How about pulling a door panel and see if you can tell how high water got?

 

[TechnoLoGs]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: TechnoLoGs
Again, this is semi about the Taurus, but is applicable to all cars, in as to discussion of operation, diagnosis, and replacement of VR.

OK. The mechanic that did WP yesterday thinks it is a flood car. Says there is no way that much sediment could be in engine bay, and the area floods a lot. He thinks it is. I told him about the symptom: The gauges that like to "wander." Bouncing speedo, and the fuel that gives and takes away a quarter tank, intermittently. That, and the coolant gauge. Since all three gauges on the dash display the same behaviors, I feel it is not an issue with three systems, but rather voltage to the dash. he said "It could be anything. bad ground, there is just so much involved. But it could be the Voltage Regulator."

I am thinking that, IF, the Alternator is the original (pretty sure it is..)
AND it was in a flood, (remember, first battery was 6.1V, Bad Cell, Replace. And we did..)
AND the Voltage Regulator is INTERNAL to the alternator..
.. that I may need a new alternator.

The alternator puts out 14.1V and resting voltage of battery is 12.4V.

armos had a theory about how it could have failed, and putting some waste current in the system. Sometimes, I feel like the whole car hesitates consistent with it. Varying idle, almost as if its receiving 80% of its power sometimes.. This coming from a car hypochondriac and I still have that exhaust leak, (how significant is that?) but the trans cleaned p pretty well. Not 100% perfect but pretty good, given how it was.

What say you???? I want to get that fixed.


Pull the regulator and bring it to a rebuild shop to have them check it out with a scope. It may be a good idea with or without your mentioned problem.

How about pulling a door panel and see if you can tell how high water got?


The only thing that does not fit with "flood car" is that the underside has little rust. Some, yes, but not a whole lot. It also has a lot of stickers from 4 and 5 and 6 years ago, suggesting to me that it sat.

But it could have flooded while sitting. I just can't know. (Maybe a low point in a yard, whatever.) the interior is not looking like a flood car AT ALL! its in not too bad condition, the interior. Sure, a vent was broke and the rear view mirror needs re-attached and I am doing that today.. but flood? Inconclusive.

Engine bay suggests YES
Interior and undercarriage suggest NO! (Remember, we had this car up on the lift. And aside from rusted exhaust, it looks ok. I have exhaust leak, how hard is that to get fixed? And how much is it impacting car operation?)

I should look for.. "Car electronics shops?"

 

[The_Jeff]

If it were a (Sandy) flood car it would not be worth rebuilding. Something like a 2-year-old mercedes would be. I think it's just old and decrepit.

Best thing to do is pull the cluster, should be pretty easy actually, and rub a pencil eraser on any contacts you see. Look over the back of the cluster with a magnifying glass for bad solder joints; they'll have tiny cracks. Hit any suspect ones with a soldering iron.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Smoky14
He may be referring to the instrument cluster voltage regulator, not the system regulator.

Smoky
+1 on the instrument cluster regulator. Alternator based regulator boards are generally replaceable, sometimes so easily you don't have to take the alternator off the car. They often contain the brush assembly as part of the regulator unit.

 

[zzyzzx]

I would also be looking for a poor ground.