burnt voltage regulators

[jakecorn]

I have a 1990 Dodge Ram that keeps burning out voltage regulators.



About two years ago, on another one of my Dodge Ram's, I had to keep replacing the new regulators until I got one kept working, but they didn't smell burnt when I would replace them.



For this truck, I have rebuilt the alternator at a respected shop,it has a Interstate battery less than one year old, and this last time it burnt a regulator I installed a used working regulator from a different 1990 Dodge.

They actually do smell burnt when I take them out.



Any ideas what keeps frying these regulators? The new ones (I have tried both NAPA's cheap and inexpensive ones, and Automates cheap and expensive ones) work for out 2 weeks, then the gauge in the truck goes to the left, indictating no charge, and the truck runs until the battery gets completely dead. I also just tried another new one and it seems when I rev up the engine, that the gauge indicates it is charging more, but my other trucks the gauge stays steady with the rpm of the truck.



Jason

 

[hdm48]

Have you tried running a ground wire from the engine to one of the hold-down screws on the regulator?

Over the years of owning Chrysler products this has been a constant problem and running the wire helps a lot.



Dave

 

[bobheller]

try mounting the regulator on the drivers fender away from the engine heat

 

[DanoT]

My voltage regulator died a few years ago, got a new one from the Dodge dealer and it died. Then I went to a parts jobber and got one for less than half the $. It worked fine, so I bought a spare--I've never needed it. I'm just glad that the voltage regulator is separate from the alternator.