Voltage Regulator Burns Out
Anyone else having issues with their external voltage regulator (mounts on back of alternator)?
I noticed a discharge on my dash guage and suspect the regulator has burned out again. No problem, I purchased a new one ($35.00) but, maybe I should build a heat sheild or something. What say you - guys?
Regulator Failure - Heat vs Wiring damage?
I removed the alternator, unbolted the two small nuts that hold the external regulator to the backside of the alternator and found, what I think, the failure problem. When the electrical shop mounted my last regulator, they squished the yellow wire which created a short after a couple of years of vibrations. You can see where it worn through the yellow plastic coating of the wire. Also, the same yellow wire had a bubble in the insulation jacket, again indicating a short. Ordered and installed a new one, read the directions, says to put two additional nuts down over the mounting studs, as to allow more room ( raise up the regulator) so you don't tighten down on any wires. I will get my test driver (wife - Sandy) to fire it up tonight and I will be in the trunk with a volt meter. The side pipes sound really cool from the trunk - you should try it!
Just as an extra precaution, I cut and glued a piece of leftover tunnel insulation over the back top half of the alternator, between it and the engine block/head. Hope this is my last round with the charging system.
Once again - you were right Alan. Thank you!