How do i check the regulator on my alternator?

[Guest Anonymous]

I have a 76 2002 and it is my daily driver. The alternator does not work (but it is fairly new), so every night when i get home, i have to put the car on a trickle charger. i know this isnt good for my battery because it is slowly starting to take less and less charge each night. what are some steps i can take to check the regulator on the alternator? if it is the regulator, would i have to buy a new one? Or would it just have to be cleaned up? If i have to buy a new regulator, could i just go to my local NAPA parts store and get one there? or would it have to be special ordered?

[Guest Anonymous]

The regulator is solid-state, there's nothing to be cleaned up except the plug and wiring. You can get them at NAPA, they're about $35 last time I bought one.

It's equally likely that the alternator is shot, the rectifier diodes burn out. Buying a second regulator isn't a bad investment anyways, it's good to have one on the shelf. First check all the wiring, if all is OK, buy a regulator, and if it doesn't help, buy an alternator.

Mike

[Guest Anonymous]

You should have around 13,8 volts at the battery. If you have that, then the battery doesn't hold the charge. If you have less, it could be the rectifier or the brushes...

[Guest Anonymous]

1. alternator to block ground (big brown wire). They break (check near terminals on each end) disappear etc. No wire, no alterntor output.

2. 3 prong plug on back of alternator--should be held in place tightly by a wire bail; if it's loose, little or no charge

3. Negative battery terminal and straps--big one goes to the engine, little one to the body. clean and tight.

4. Plug on bottom of regulator, and cleverly hidden beneath it, the ground wire. Clean and tight; I'd replace the regulator's steel mounting screws with stainless ones.

Check all that, and if you still have problems, then suspect the alternator and/or regulator.

Cheers

Mike