bad alternator?

[Soundguy]

a multimeter would likely tell you whats wrong... but yeah.. store should be able to test it..

ps.. oem alternator # is SBA185046180

reg is SBA185516030

 

[moojamboo]

so i say we have an external regulator...but i can't seem to locate it. in the manual it shows a regulator separate from the alternator any ideas where i would look for it?

 

[moojamboo]

Thanks Soundguy....if the alternator is factory 1986 is it worth rebuilding? are there specialty places where they rebuild alternators? is there a good place to get ford parts online?

 

[Soundguy]

most towns have mom n pop stores that do gen/alternator and starters. IF it even needs a rebuild.. might be just a 40$ reg.

look behind the instrument cluster for that reg...

 

[moojamboo]

is there a way to test if the regulator is bad with a mulitmeter?

 

[Soundguy]

you can OBSERVE if the reg is bad, using hte meter and the alternator..etc

 

[moojamboo]

i'm fairly new at electrics...is there a way to isolate and test just the regulator? i took the alternator around today and couldn't find anywhere which would bench test the alternator (autozone said they couldn't cause they wouldn't have a part number). so at this point i don't know how to separate the regulator from the alternator in the circuit while trying to diagnose the problem.

how do i tell a regulator issue from an alternator issue with a mulitmeter?

 

[Soundguy]

if you can't test the alt.. it may be pointless.. if the alt was tested good, then you could infer regualtor issues if it did not charge.

find a REAL alternator/starter/generator rebuilder.. they will be able to test it..

 

[deerseeker001]

i went through this took my alternator to a good electric repair shop tested the out put said it was good.this alternator was a 3 wire i went to a 1 wire alternator and now it works fantastic.

 

[Soundguy]

sounds like you had a generic delco 10/12 SI model.. not the oem tractor alt... BIG difference....