Do I need an alternator or???

[michael_cini]

hey guys,

here is the deal. a few weeks ago i had to do some work on my exhaust and i accidentally dropped my wrench into the engine bay and it arced across the block to the solenoid (yes i know i should have disconnected the battery!). after a few seconds i knocked it out of the way, and there was a little puff of smoke from the voltage regulator. after i got the car back together it started fine and i drove it for a couple of days, then when i attempted to start the car the battery was dead. i jumped it and it started fine. i took it home and charged the battery and it cranked fine. so, i did the test where i started it and pulled off the positive battery terminal. and the car died.

so, here is the question, do you think that it is the alternator that is bad and it was just a coincedence that i dropped my wrench working on it. or is it my regulator or??? thanks for your input!

michael

 

[rbohm]

8) pull the alternator and have it tested. it sounds like the regulator is fried though.

 

[67STR86]

Yep.... I think he called it. My money is on the regulator.

 

[michael_cini]

thanks. so i pull it out and take it to the autoparts store and they can test it? so, if i fried the regulator would that keep the alternator from charging the battery?

8) pull the alternator and have it tested. it sounds like the regulator is fried though.

 

[fordconvert]

thanks. so i pull it out and take it to the autoparts store and they can test it? so, if i fried the regulator would that keep the alternator from charging the battery

Yep

 

[michael_cini]

thanks guys! i see that autozone will test the alternator and regulator. so i'll pull it tonight and take it in tomorrow.

 

[michael_cini]

put in a new regulator and the alternator checked out as alright. what's my next step?

 

[fordconvert]

Find a schematic and start checking wires with a volt/ohm meter. I had an F150 that quit charging the battery. What I eventually found was in one of the harnesses there was one of those fusible links. The problem was where the molded fusible part joined to the regular wire water had got in and crudded up the connection. It looked good on the outside but it was the only possible place for the problem. It was a 'yard truck' so I just cut it apart and soldered the ends back together. If it would have been a driver I would have gone to get replacements. Parts stores have generic ones. All you need to know is the amps which is usually on the schematics.

 

[60s Refugee]

New reg, alt checks OK, next step drive it and see if it works. If it does, have cocktails, if it doesn't then the battery has a prob.


Harry

 

[michael_cini]

yeah, that is what i'm thinking too. thanks for your input.

Find a schematic and start checking wires with a volt/ohm meter. I had an F150 that quit charging the battery. What I eventually found was in one of the harnesses there was one of those fusible links. The problem was where the molded fusible part joined to the regular wire water had got in and crudded up the connection. It looked good on the outside but it was the only possible place for the problem. It was a 'yard truck' so I just cut it apart and soldered the ends back together. If it would have been a driver I would have gone to get replacements. Parts stores have generic ones. All you need to know is the amps which is usually on the schematics.

 

[michael_cini]

already checked out the battery. it checked out fine. thank for your input.

New reg, alt checks OK, next step drive it and see if it works. If it does, have cocktails, if it doesn't then the battery has a prob.


Harry