where's the voltage regulator
 

mine is 86 vette cpe...im replacing the alternator . but i cant find the voltage regulator. its not in the haine's guide either. anybody knows where the regulator is located

RE: where's the voltage regulator
 

Had a suspicion on this one... just checked and it appears I was right. The voltage regulators for our cars are actually inside the alternator. No wonder you couldn't find it!! *laughs*

So, yeh, if you're putting in a new/refurb alternator, you are also replacing your voltage regulator. Good news, eh? :)

RE: where's the voltage regulator
 

LOL. no wonder i couldnt find it. what threw me off was when i wnet online at napa auto looking for parts...it was recommmending i replace it too ....thanks topspeed. btw, the gauges was reading 18v and the red charging light is on...ran a code reader...gave me a code 53

RE: where's the voltage regulator
 

Ooof, that's quite the voltage spike there!!! I am afraid I am not an expert in the codes like some of the top drawer techs around here are, so I'll leave that one for one of them to respond to. With a spike like that, though, my uneducated guess would be that the problem is in the regulator too.

Keep us posted on how you make out with that! :)

RE: where's the voltage regulator
 

That's NAPA for you...typical genuises...brilliant:D

RE: where's the voltage regulator
 

Code 53 means ECM voltage sense wire has detected voltage outside of normal charging range. Chances are your regulator has shorted and your alternator is charging full tilt with no control on it. Hard on a battery, also have your battery load checked and check cables and charging wire from alternator for good, clean, tight connections.[8D]

RE: where's the voltage regulator
 

under normal operating conditions what should the "volts" be? on my '87 it usualy reads from 13.6 to 14.2.

RE: where's the voltage regulator
 

That's SOP. Usually no more than 14.5. More than that, I would check connections or alternator.

RE: where's the voltage regulator
 

the volt meter was reding 13-14 v before the alternator started reading 18v with the red ligght on. im replacing the alternator ...ill keep u guys posted

RE: where's the voltage regulator
 

replaced the alternator today...checked all cable connections. evrything seems back to normal. charging to 13.5-14v. it appears that the first alternator i got conked out. it was under warranty. ill keep u guys informed on how its holding up...at this point it looks like green light thanks