1992 F 350 Voltage Regulator - Diesel Forum

mbradley · 12-21-2005, 12:01 AM

I have a 92 F 350 with manual transmission. The volt meter has been acting strange (varying voltage) and usually lands at the very upper end of the normal range. The headlights are very bright and I am wondering if this is a voltage regulator problem (failure). If this is the problem, is this an internal regulator in the alternator or is it external and can be replaced independently? Is there a test for the regulator? Thanks in advance for your help.
Mike

Mike Lewis · 12-21-2005, 12:24 AM

I was having voltage gauge flux and flickering lights... replaced my voltage regulator 2 days ago. Problem solved.

The reg is an external unit, probably mounted near the passenger's side battery on the fender (that's where it is on my '91).

For $15 at Auto Zone, it is worth a shot.

Mike

cdnsarguy · 12-21-2005, 02:14 AM

Check the battery for alt output at 2000 rpm should be 14.5.
Check all the alt wires as the connections will burn up especially on the single wire.

If your alt has the regulator on the back get the whole thing including the brushes if the armature looks good.

Runboy · 12-21-2005, 10:19 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Check all the alt wires as the connections will burn up especially on the single wire.

[/ QUOTE ]

So this is a fairly common issue? Mine was a little crusty when I bought it, spliced it and it held for 6 months or so - then cooked right where I spliced it. Not sure if the cheap butt splices I used just couldn't handle the juice of if vibration caused something to wear through.
Replaced with a heavy duty bolt-on cable splice and Extra thick shrink wrap. No problems so far.
(forgot to mention that when I bought it, there was no plastic plug where it meets the alternator - so I picked up the whole plug/wire ends at the bone yard on the second go round)
Mike

pnose · 12-21-2005, 04:08 PM

Had 2 1992 7.3's,the early one with the v-belts had an external reg and the later one with the serp belt has a internal reg,so thats prolly when they changed. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

Runboy · 12-21-2005, 04:56 PM

I just replaced alternator recently.
Book showed:
60 amp - internal regulator
70 amp - external (most common)
100 amp - optional (not sure on reg)

Mike