My dad '74 was serviced by hall pantera about 20 years ago. I believe a lot of electrical work was done and I'm pretty sure the voltage regulator is not where it should be. It looks like a motorcraft alternator and I'm wondering if the voltage regulator is internal or external. Measuring at the battery terminals I'm getting btw 17 and 18 amps. The headlights pulse and amp meter surges. Any help is appreciated. I thought it would be easy to just replace the voltage regulator.
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As has been discussed in these forums ad nauseum, check to make sure the terminals on the back of your ammeter are clean and tight. If you see any sign of these terminals getting hot at some point, don't drive the car until you identify and rectify the cause. Adding a shunt between the terminals helps but ultimately, the best solution is to replace the ammeter with a voltmeter.
Thx guys. Huge help. Assuming the correct voltage regulator will help stabilize the problem. The ammeter doesn't jump it surges. I will check the contacts too.
Nyisle18 posted:My dad '74 was serviced by hall pantera about 20 years ago. I believe a lot of electrical work was done and I'm pretty sure the voltage regulator is not where it should be. It looks like a motorcraft alternator and I'm wondering if the voltage regulator is internal or external. Measuring at the battery terminals I'm getting btw 17 and 18 amps. The headlights pulse and amp meter surges. Any help is appreciated. I thought it would be easy to just replace the voltage regulator.
Btw 17 and 18 Amps or volts?
..isn't that a duraspark ignition, not a voltage regulator ? Lee
Sorry. Volts not amps.
Yes, but that's usually where the voltage regulator is.
So you must absolutly replace the voltage regulator on the alternator, otherwise you will burn the ignition, bulbs, electric motors, gauges and destroy the battery.
