HOW TO: Ford Voltage regulator Test & FIX

[@Wrenchlife604]

IF This video helped you out and saved you some money. if you wish to donate to help support the channel. So i can keep creating videos. feel free to donate to my streamlab link: :) :) streamlabs.com/dawg316/tip

[@chuckroberts1228]

Well done, good job of explaining.

[@thatweirdlockguy178]

Thanks for a great video! You helped me help a customer with his Bronco not charging. He's purchased several alternators and voltage regulators while pursuing this problem. You provided the information he needed to dig deeper into this problem.

[@randy783]

Thank you!!! Excellent video. Just what the Doctor ordered!!!

[@jstrano1978]

I think this was the best video I’ve seen explaining this charging system. Love the car too!! Thanks

[@michaelmorales5234]

Thanks . A+ Video .I have a 171 2.8l V6 ‘85 Ford Ranger 4x4 light Truck . Replaced the primary wires with a recommended 60 Amp Alternator . And all new Parts and this Instruction is a visual hands on one . I can breathe easier . It’s an old natural aspirated. Engine . I saw a video at You Tube using a #6 AWG BK ground from the 12V Battery Negative Terminal with pigtail ground wire attached to the Alternator Bracket instead of the weak ground at Passenger Side front of truck ground which caused battery drain for many .Plus according to Gary’s Garagemahal expertise it there was a mistake in the Wiring Diagram. This is a solid ground video young man . Let’s ride!

[@paularmstrong5572]

Helpful video. Always good to see young people messing around with, and having an appreciation for, the old stuff.

[@ianmacgillivray2740]

Nice job diagnosing, and actually taking the time to show us how the circuits work. Appreciate the information!

[@mannyclemente7159]

Thank you for the electrical diagram bro, I was looking for this and your video was the best I found that actually made sense and didn’t throw you off with other crap. 👍

[@Wrenchlife604]

Thank you for watching. And the positive comment

[@deepbludude4697]

Well done I knew all this stuff back in the early 80s but my mind is going thanks and the drawing is what cleared it up well done.

[@alexavila7489]

Been looking for this video for months!! I seen it a few years back and remembered you had awesome information. Thanks again man

[@Wrenchlife604]

thanks again for watchin

[@captainjohnh9405]

Thanks for the lesson; it helped a bunch! Also thank you for making video that jumps right into the work without a ton of flashy, trashy fluff to make it run over 10 minutes. Now, about that bucket. Son, in my day we didn't have buckets! We just sat on the floor, and if it was rusted through, too bad!

[@patrickconn8080]

Great vid. Have 82 350 7.5l, had a bad over charging. Replaced reg several times. Alternator once. Turned out to be ground issue. Reg was grounded by screw to vehicle body and was intermittent and over charged. Ran ground to batt NEG. Issue solved. Correct fix is to install ground straps from body to frame, frame to block. One wire was easy fix and still works great. Peace

[@jameslangford4748]

You mention that the alternator can have a small case or a large case but you fail to mention which size case you are working with.

[@Wrenchlife604]

Shiii dog. I dunno. Try googling it. I have no idea

[@RockyTopSplash]

Great video. No nonsense. Straight forward. Good job! Thanks

[@MrWildbill4]

Hi, thanks for your video, helped me diagnose a faulty alternator on my 69 F100, in my case, a wire had come off the rear brush, although the alternator wasn't very old. I managed to solder the wire back, and now charging well, and new brushes on order. Will. Devon England

[@dwayneweber9974]

Can you finish drawing the circuit for the indicator light (green wire). Is voltage coming out of the regulator providing the power to the light. Heard it is also called “ hot in run” but can not find a circuit depicted showing how the light is powered. Thanks!

[@sclemmons1]

4:17, the stator terminals on the alternator and the voltage regulator aren't used on vehicles with an ammeter in the instrument panel. The stator terminals are used on vehicles with an indicator lamp in the instrument panel.

[@setnbronco4932]

the S terminal n the ALT goes to the electric choke if your car has one, I know Ford didnt offer electric chokes on Broncos until 73

[@illustratorBWC]

Thanks. I've been restoring my 1978 351w ford van and this video helped a lot.

[@Wrenchlife604]

thanks for watching!

[@greatguy4076]

The BATT terminal is connected to the Stator through the output diodes, so it gives you DC, which of course is the main output that charges your battery. The Stator terminal is directly connected to the stator, so it gives you unregulated AC output. It's typically used for things that don't care about AC vs DC, like heating coils. Sometimes it's used for things like tachometers, because the AC frequency varies in proportion to engine speed. Probably not too accurate though due to belt slippage, and unknown exact pulley diameters, etc.

[@melonieecarrickk8737]

Like your full detail really helps. Wondering about check the solenoid on side fender well. How to check? I thought the solenoid was part of the starter. . I SO MUCH need help. My car vandalize and need my truck for transportation. I'm 6q years old and love my hotrod. . . 73 Ford f250 highboy3 and 79 TransAm.

[@setnbronco4932]

the S terminal on the regulator should be a Grn/Red wire from the ignition switch which should be 12v in the "Run" position

[@tyzon7]

This is awesome - especially the tidbit at the end - I’m getting 16v when revving and I found it due to car stereo turning off. I’m going to try a new regulator…

[@jackinthebox6143]

It can be confusing if you have an ammeter on the dash then the charge wire goes right around the car and to the +ve relay side. I got a new alternator harness and worth the money you get a big earth which screws into the block with the battery -ve wire. I had a bad regulator and bought a new one and the car still isnt charging. You can jump the A and the F wires and i had tons of electric! My question is there a way of just checking the regulator by itself with a multimeter? I want to be sure before I send it back. I now have collected about six of these things over the years one of them must work! And that''s a great car by the way I hope you finished it?

[@jlittle984]

Bro - thanks for your vid. It was what I needed to get a grip on my externally regulated wiring system. Very well done.

[@larryhogston2436]

Thank you I've been trying to figure out my 400 big block in my 78 F-250 going to try it your way thank you again

[@talesfromthehood5374]

Very well executed my man! Sittin on a bucket in a bucket... That's classic (no pun intended) haha Sweet ass ride brother

[@Wrenchlife604]

👍👍

[@micanopykracker902]

Not only was your video well well done but I also like the fact that you got a footprint gas pedal just like Joe deertay LOL that is a nice old Ford 2 by the way is that a Galaxy?

[@Wrenchlife604]

Thanks! The cars a 66 mercury parklane. Pretty much a ford galaxie. Same thing almost

[@micanopykracker902]

@@Wrenchlife604 oh yes beey kool thx for responding

[@Toniz93]

I changed the old mechanical regulator to new electronic one, and now my ALT-light is not working when turning ignition ON, any idea why? Should i rewire something ?

[@eegg6954]

Send the new regulator back to China.

[@michaelballard162]

Good teacher 😊

[@AllanWells-yz3fm]

So your diagram pretty mucg saved me a load of hassle now i know what a 1g alternator and regulator is and that it goes to my starter solenoid and starter is flicking when yhe voltage is high on the volt meter

[@bikeclochard]

Thx for the video! So when you test the field (at around 2:28) you have the testlight hooked to the negative pol on hte batterie or just any ground?

[@Wrenchlife604]

i use the negative post of the battery for the most accurate ground. you can use a engine ground. just verify its a clean ground before hand. battery negative is most accurate tho. wouldnt be a bad idea to confirm engine block is correctly grounded. that could cause a problem aswell

[@bikeclochard]

Thank you. Just to check if I understood you correctly: 1) Field to ground while Motor is running should get 12V when alternator is dead (but 0V when REGULATOR is dead). If the alternator works fine, what Voltage would the multimeter read in this case? 2) Field to positive battery post while motor is running should get high Volts (around 18V) when alternator works fine, if not, the alternator doesn't charge

[@Wrenchlife604]

Correct 👍

[@bikeclochard]

@@Wrenchlife604 Thank you!

[@92xl]

Excellent video, straight forward and well done. Keep it up!

[@Wrenchlife604]

Thanks for the support 💪

[@boosted_b5a4_19]

Thanks for the info just helped me diagnose a bad v.r

[@juanzayas7976]

My 69 Mustang is reading 12.34 constantly. it has a new reman alternator and a new reproduction VR. My ALT light stays on at idle but goes away at RPM's while driving (over 1,800 RPM's). No flickering or dimming lamps, even with load (a/c, radio, etc.) Suggestions?

[@MrWolfman619]

Thanks, this helped me diagnose my old merc.

[@Wrenchlife604]

Glad it helped 👍

[@AllanWells-yz3fm]

Im having yhe opposite problem on foxbody. Over Charging rev it goes to 16v then back to 14 then driving creeps to 15 then 16 starter flicks on and off while running. Got the car two days ago amd just found tbe reg dangling by a cabke tie

[@taozilla]

I believe that the stator is used for ford electric chokes and is less then 12 volts

[@HammerHeadGarage]

Cool car and video Bro.

[@Wrenchlife604]

thanks for the support !

[@dansclassicsandcustoms]

Thanks. I couldn't remember if it was power or ground I had to jump to the alternator. Been working on too many Mopars lately and they have a grounded field terminal.

[@PaulCTownsend]

Good job the S terninal supplies power to the choke about 7 volts.

[@peterseymour2325]

Any idea why my alternator would be surging power my lights are flashing when they're on and I get 14.25 up as high as fifteen back down and back up any ideas

[@Wrenchlife604]

The voltage regulator tells the alternator when to start charging and when to stop over charging. Either you have some high load accessorys that are draining it too soon. Our maybe your battery dosnt like holding a charge? Its hard to say withought seeing it in person

[@ronmartin6091]

thnx man. which voltage regulator did you use? I had installed vr 749 earlier this yr. no charge condition returned last week so I installed 100 amp alternator. still no charge. your diagnosis was same as mine so wonder If I need a different vr? vr 730?

[@Wrenchlife604]

Make shure your conections are clean at the voltage regulator. I had a brand new one not work out of the box. And had to warrenty it as deffective. I also dont rember what part number mine was. You can use rock auto and see what part numbers are available for your vehicle

[@ronmartin6091]

@@Wrenchlife604 thank you. i will reply with what i get

[@ronniedaniels4587]

Youre video really helped me. Thank you!

[@olblu8746]

Why does my 69 f-100 have a condenser right next to the voltage regulator? I haven't seen anything on this condensor. What's it for? Thank you.

[@Wrenchlife604]

Condensor is use to "clean up" the voltage. Sometimes ac current still pulses. It was used back in the day to prevent the stereo/radio on picking up noises aswell.

[@olblu8746]

@@Wrenchlife604 thank you sir for your time , now l know what's the condenser for. God bless you.

[@nickestrada355]

Very good video!!

[@mikecarr6506]

Great explanation. Thanks

[@jesseespino7532]

my 1977 ford is overcharging the battery any suggestion?

[@Wrenchlife604]

watch the video on how to test it. sounds like a bad voltage regulator or maybe it was incorrectly wired at the alternator previously

[@Wrongway1961]

Have you run into a problem on a similar charging system where it has to be idled up to 1300 to1500 rpm? Thanks

[@Wrenchlife604]

no i have not. first check your belt tension to make shure its good. then use the steps in the video to figure out if your alternator or voltage regulator is bad.

[@nickcage633]

what if it jumps back and forth between 13volts to 4 volts. both at the regulator and the generator

[@Wrenchlife604]

Check your meter. I dont know how ur car would be running if it was 4 volts.

[@nickcage633]

@@Wrenchlife604 this car will run with no battery hooked up

[@Wrenchlife604]

Most cars with a working alternator will run withought the battery hooked up

[@nickcage633]

@@Wrenchlife604 it has a generator

[@sammybaughhello]

you did a great job, loved the video. hope you make more content in the future.

[@zachdesoto4618]

Thanks for the vid, helped me diagnose my 79 150 woth a 460 5 speed. Was the regulator

[@Wrenchlife604]

Thanks for watching. Glad it helped 👍👍

[@gwolfe1231]

I once used an old plastic milk crate for my project-car seat.

[@larryhutton9194]

Thank you I'm going thru this in a. 69 Winnebago.

[@chipteele8942]

great video very informative thanks

[@scottc3165]

Best explanation on the internet. Thanks. Nice ride too!

[@prayfawind]

how to do the big 3 upgrade ? i have a 66 monterey 390 V8

[@Wrenchlife604]

Just add another ground. And run a bigger positive. Big 3 is only needed if your running a big big sound sytem. The factort alternator is realy light duty tho. I would upgrade to a bigger one if you choose to go that route

[@prayfawind]

@@Wrenchlife604 are you on facebook? i doing a full restore on my 4 door 66 Monterey

[@Wrenchlife604]

not facebook. i got instagram @yaboyherman

[@stuckinmygarage6220]

Is the only way to donate is by PayPal?

[@Wrenchlife604]

if you wish to donate. paypal is my only option right now. no venmo or cashapp in canada where im from. Thanks!

[@Kpeters]

I had a good charging system except for lights that would surge when accelerating so I changed the voltage regulator for a new motorcraft one and now it’s charging well and the issue is gone but I have the battery light constantly on. Wtf?

[@johnwebster6141]

Well done!

[@memertainment]

So what's the stator terminal for?

[@Wrenchlife604]

unused in my situation. ive read most people use the Stator terminal to hook up to the elctric choke on the carb.

[@robertvaughan6125]

my field wire is giving 2 to 3 volts what can that be? i changed my voltage regular twice

[@Wrenchlife604]

Could be voltage drop on the wire could also be the field wire is pulsing 12 volts and its showing 3 volts on your multi meter. A graphing volt meter might be more accurate. Is your system charging or no?

[@robertvaughan6125]

no

[@robertvaughan6125]

i got 12.5 at ignition wen on i .f field is connected . yellow is getting 12 am stuck my boi let me know whats going on what do you think. the auto part store said my alternator pass

[@Wrenchlife604]

Make shure ur alternators hooked up correctly. Its real easy to out the wrong wire on the wrong terminal. How long have you owned the vehicle. And has it always been not charging or was it working then stopped?

[@robertvaughan6125]

not to long i just bought it so .i on the voltage regulator is it constente 12 wen on or just signal wen turn on?

[@PhilWright2Pi]

Great job!

[@cscottcummins6719]

The statue of the alternator gets voltage from the charge wire from the battery, so there is no need for a voltage signal from the regulator .

[@bigrod0069]

thanks man. that car is really awesome, what is it?

[@Wrenchlife604]

66 mercury parklane. Thanks for watching 👍

[@bigrod0069]

@@Wrenchlife604 no problem, that's good how you diagnose the problem instead of switching the muffler bearings out, that's the only way to go👍🏻 i just bought a camper ,89 Ford itasca, with a 460 in it, and it's not charging the battery. now I can diagnose it properly.

[@midnightraiin4035]

kick ass video, man

[@vickiecampbell15]

Good video

[@everardoquintana1097]

thanks for tips, i have this isue.

[@sheldonwoodhouse4222]

my trucks battery light came on and got it tested and they said my batteries are bad and gave me free warranty replacements but the charge was 100% even tho the battery was bad? and the light is still on

[@Wrenchlife604]

a dying alternator/charging system wont charge the battery when the vehicles running. also it will kill the battery pretty quick. most likely your alternator is bad.

[@sheldonwoodhouse4222]

@@Wrenchlife604 but if it wont charge it and the battery was bad how did it have 100% charge?

[@Wrenchlife604]

Dunno. But if they battery light is on while the vehicle is running. Than the charging system is at fault. Easy to find out in 10 seconds using a volt meter

[@jimschmidt7303]

Thanks on the info for the old style alternator. I moved my battery to the trunk in a 75 Mustang with 351W and screwed up the wiring. I am headed to the garage to go rewire my car. Thanks again!

[@Wrenchlife604]

Hopefully you get it figured out. 351w are amazing engines btw 👍

[@jimschmidt7303]

@@Wrenchlife604 Hey there, thanks again. The voltage regulator was shot. Using your tip I connected 12v to the field connection on the alternator and it started charging. Changed the regulator, now on to other items to make the car more reliable.

[@08versailles]

I'm going to use this to help diagnose low charge condition on my old Lincoln. Wish me well, great vid!

[@narnialord3940]

The alternator gets grounded through the engine so u don't need the wire if you don't want it.

[@foamermetal]

Nice job. Nice car.

[@ronniepoppe1798]

good vidio

[@GreenLyle4]

This video was amazingly helpful! Thanks

[@craigchang-t9v]

Good diag TEST DON'T GUESS

[@themaestro7922]

😁😁

[@justmy7069]

Milk crate much better seat

[@farmerjohn6917]

I was hoping you were gonna fix the regulator... like it says in the title. But you just replaced parts... so was not what I expected at all.

[@kyleanderson5616]

Dude they’re like 30 bucks just buy a new one and quit complaining

[@farmerjohn6917]

@@kyleanderson5616 dude, the title says test and fix, not test and replace. That easy, anyone can do it, and not need a video, it really is that simple. I like to fix things rather than throw garbage in the landfills. We live in a throw away society, and you are part if the problem. Grow up.

[@mikebarton8671]

Nice job, nice car.

[@Wrenchlife604]

Thank you 👍