1st Gen Charging System.......HELP!

[R.E. Miller]

Alright guys, this problem is about to push me over the edge, and I need help. On my club cab, I have had some weird electrical issues for a while, and I have decided to by-pass the computer for voltage regulation to avoid the expensive cost of replacement. On the 1992's, the computer had the voltage regulator built in, so to by-pass it, I just cut the wires that go to the computer from the field and connected two new wires that I ran to a dodge voltage regulator. What happened after I did all of this... . the stupid thing charges at 17v at idle, and as you increase the speed, the voltage goes up It is as if the field on the alternator is grounded. But, guess what, when I took the alternator off my other truck, same thing all over again. And just to prove out any other doubts, I switched the voltage regulater, all with the same result, 17v. I really do not understand why the dodge regulater does not work by itself, and after having my truck down for 2 months for a transmission replacement, it would be nice to actually drive it.

Thanks for your help guys,

Russell

 

[Lil' Dog]

It seems that the regulator is not sensing the voltage of the battery. The alternators are the same from the 89-90 to the newer PCM controled systems so the regulator should do the job.



From what I can remember the blue wire controled the field of the alternator and the plug to the regulator had 2 blue wires and one green. The regulator was also grounded throught the shell to the fire wall. Something is not triggering the regulator to lower the field and it thinks the battery is dead.



Did you get a regulator for that size of alternator? They are in the 89 CTD's. It should work. .



What is wrong with the PCM? Alot of guys have had problems with the crank trigger failing and causing the charging system to stop working. Did you already try that route??



J-eh

 

[R.E. Miller]

Thanks for ths input! The regulator that I used was straight off my Dad's 1991. 5 that has the same alternator. After running through all of the problems, I think that the auto shut down relay may have been part of the problem with the regulator not working, but I have not investigated all of that yet. But, FWIW, I hooked the computer back up in a last chance desperation attempt, and low and behold... ... it works I might try to test that crank trigger once I get my clutch/transmission problems straightened out



Thanks,

Russell

 

[ETOBICOKE]

Regulator

Don't know about the current model regulators, but the older ones would overcharge if the metal case was not grounded to the chassis properly. It sounds as though your regulator is not able to detect the charging voltage and is sending too much current to the alternator field. Bare in mind that the regulator supplies the negative side of the field. Direct Connection did offer a universal electronic regulator, part# 3690731 for upgrading older cars when changing to electronic ignition. I would expect that it should come with a wiring harness and instructions.



Neil

 

[ETOBICOKE]

Alternator Idiot Lamp

Was thinking over your problem again, most alternator regulators incorporate the alternator idiot lamp in series with regulator positive feed. Would suggest you try this, a 194 lamp should be about right.



Neil