How to fix regulator on the alternator.

How to fix regulator on the alternator

Confused about what regulator is? Note that the voltage regulator in your automobile controls the voltage in your electrical system. It helps to maintain constant current to run the electrical and electronic accessories in your car. Also, it maintains a constant voltage of between 13 to 15 volts, which depends on your automobile.

Remember that the extra voltage above your battery’s voltage, which is 12 volts, allows your battery to be recharged. We have two types of regulators, contained electronic regulators and the contact point regulators. Except you have a classic car that’s more than 25 years old, your regulator will be of the electronic variety. It will either attached to your alternator or located remotely.

So How Does an Alternator Voltage Regulator Work?

We have varieties of regulators in the market, but they all have the same function. Their responsibility is to convert direct current to a fixed current that won’t damage the other systems in the vehicle.

 

Here Are Top 8 Bad Voltage Regulator Symptoms

One thing you should know is that voltage regulator failure is one of those problems that develop over time. But it’s also reasonably easy to diagnose.

Below are eight common signs to watch out for:

  1. A High Voltage Output

Any good car battery should put out about 12.6 volts in an open circuit (car not running). But once the car is running, the voltage should measure around 2 volts higher in most vehicles.

In case the output voltage is measuring at 16 volts or more, then it means you have a faulty voltage regulator. Remember that too high of a voltage can actually cause damage to various electrical components. This can make the bulbs in your headlights or taillights to prematurely burn out.

  1. An Occasional Dips In Power

Once you have a bad regulator, it may cause many other components like the fuel pump, ignition system, or other parts that require a minimum amount of voltage not to function properly.

Sometimes you may experience a rough idle, the engine sputtering, or simply a lack of acceleration when you need it. This might not seem like a big deal, but it’s vital because it shows that power is not being regulated.

  1. The Instrument Cluster Doesn’t Work

Just like every other electrical components, the instrument cluster requires a certain amount of voltage to display all the vital information you need while driving. But a bad voltage regulator may cause it to simply not work or behave erratically.

With this, you’ll likely not be able to start the car at all. However, even if you could, it won’t be wise to do so without knowing how fast you’re driving, how much fuel you have left, and other critical info.

  1. A Dimming or Flickering Lights

Most times you’ll notice this with your headlights, but this can affect your interior lights and even your stereo system. This also points to a current that is not being adequately controlled.

Sometimes this symptom exists for battery-related problems, but can also mean the voltage regulator is to blame.

  1. The High Beams Not Working

Note that one of the systems that can be adversely affected by too much or too little voltage is the headlights. This is because the high-beam headlamps particularly require a fair amount of power to operate. Any beam that won’t light up properly indicates that there’s a problem.

  1. Corrosion

Any corrosion spreading on the terminals and top of the battery can be a signal of a failing voltage regulator among other things.

  1. Your Battery is Dead

This could be that you forgot to switch off your lights, having a problem with the alternator, or using an old battery that needs to be replaced. Sometimes this could also be because of poorly managed current due to a bad voltage regulator.

  1. The Check Engine Light or Battery Light Turned On

It’s a good idea to scan for any diagnostic trouble codes such as check engine light. Or running a quick voltage inspection (battery light on) using a multimeter to see if that’s what is causing the issue.

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HERE IS HOW TO FIX REGULATOR ON ALTERNATOR

Step 1

Using a wrench to detach the cables from the battery. Your car battery is located under the hood, directly behind the grill of the automobile, either right or left side. The battery has two cables attached. Now detach the positive cable first, it will be labeled with a “+” sign. Just loosen the nut holding the cable by turning it counterclockwise. Then remove the negative cable in the same way.

Step 2

Find the voltage regulator. You’ll find this in a black plastic box on the back of your alternator. This will be labeled on the belt diagram under the hood or in the battery cable between the alternator and the battery. You can consult a repair manual for your make and model for more specifics.

Step 3

Now position the new regulator over the old regulators, with the battery cable and not attached to the alternator. Then unplug each cable from the old regulator and plug it into the new regulator. Note that there may be up to four cables, this depends on the make and model.

But for cables attached with screws, just loosen the screws by turning them counterclockwise with a screwdriver. Then attach the cables by fitting them onto the corresponding screws on the new regulator. After that, tighten the screws with the screwdriver.

Step 4

Now remove the screws or bolts holding the regulator to the car or alternator by using a wrench or screwdriver. Note that the type of mounting hardware depends on the car model. Then position the new regulator, by aligning it with the holes on the alternator or car frame. Now install the mounting screws via the holes in the new regulator and tighten them, by turning them clockwise.

You can now replace the battery cables and tighten the cables with the wrench. But ensure to attach each cable to the contact you removed it from, positive to positive and negative to negative.

 

Conclusion on how to fix regulator on the alternator

It’s true that current alternators can last for the life of the car, but they often do fail before that. So replacing your alternator will avoid having to pay the hefty labor rates again in the near future. We believe you have learned how to fix the regulator on the alternator with this guide.