Voltage Regulator?
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Highland, Maryland
Voltage Regulator?
Over the past 500 miles my battery light has been on. When I get up to speed, the gauge jumps up to almost 18. The cruise controll also stops working. I just replaced the alternator 1000 miles ago, and I dont think it is the battery. Could it be the Voltage Regulator? I have no idea...please help.
1997 F-150
4.6L
Supercab
1997 F-150
4.6L
Supercab
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Usually the voltage regulator is located inside the alternator as on combined unit. You may have gotten a bad unit. Here's how you check:
With the truck off measure the battery voltage. It should be around 12VDC. Now start the truck. Measure the battery voltage again. This time it should read around 14VDC (give or take .5VDC). This indicates that the voltage regulator is maintaining a higher voltage to charge the battery. That would indicate a bad battery. If the voltage does not go up then it indicates a bad alternator/voltage regulator assembly.
Hope that helps.
With the truck off measure the battery voltage. It should be around 12VDC. Now start the truck. Measure the battery voltage again. This time it should read around 14VDC (give or take .5VDC). This indicates that the voltage regulator is maintaining a higher voltage to charge the battery. That would indicate a bad battery. If the voltage does not go up then it indicates a bad alternator/voltage regulator assembly.
Hope that helps.