by Van crazy Sun Aug 27, 2017 5:28 pmWell everything been good till today and now it won't change unless I disconnect the ground from battery.as soon as I pull the ground off 14 volts any ideas
2 posters
Charging issues
Van crazy- Number of posts : 533
Location : buffalo ny
Registration date : 2011-08-04
RodStRace- Number of posts : 3046
Location : Chino Valley
Registration date : 2010-01-21
Okay, so I had to go back through your post history to find out you
1. have a Dodge A-108
2. have had charging system problems in the past.
I didn't go further to find out what engine or if you have done much more than change out the regulator and alt. If this had been in one of the 'A' sections, at least I could have guessed.
So, you need to understand, then diagnose the charging system.
Here are some links
system design
http://www.mymopar.com/charging.htm
Generic testing - too much for a basic check on your van, but may help you understand how they all work
http://www.aa1car.com/library/charging_checks.htm
Here is a forum link where they walk a guy through a full check.
NOTE THAT IN REPLY #5 HE SAYS DO NOT DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO "CHECK" THE SYSTEM! I AGREE!
https://moparforums.com/forums/f84/charging-circuit-problem-11332/
I note in the testing described, he mentions a bulkhead connector. Vans do not have this, so ignore these mentions.
On a van, the connection of the output goes through this path - Alt. output wire through connector at back of the doghouse, up to the ammeter, across ammeter to wire down to back of doghouse to starter solenoid to battery cable and back to battery. The most common problem is the ammeter connections and the connections at the back of the doghouse. Clean all of these. Check for crispy wiring along these paths. Also as mentioned, the currently available regulators are built to a very low price point and often fail as you have already found. Swap to a good quality name brand regulator and clean the spot where it bolts to the nose for a good ground. It would be a good idea to clean the main battery connections at both ends now too.
So the basics are:
1. Start with a fully charged battery.
2. Check for proper voltage at alternator output (big wire) with engine running at 1200-1500RPM, not idle.
3. Full field the alternator by connecting the 2 wires connected to the regulator together. Do not rev the engine higher or do this for more than a minute or two. It will spark and the alternator will increase load, so be aware this will happen. Do not allow either wire to touch ground.
4. Check for voltage drop on the output side and the ground side as described.
5. Clean connections if voltage drop shows resistance.
6. Replace bad wiring or components as shown in testing and/or inspection.
One of these days I might write a full diagnostic with pictures for these darn things. It comes up often due to the tired wiring, connections, modifications and cr@p parts they sell these days.
Get that thing back on the road!
1. have a Dodge A-108
2. have had charging system problems in the past.
I didn't go further to find out what engine or if you have done much more than change out the regulator and alt. If this had been in one of the 'A' sections, at least I could have guessed.
So, you need to understand, then diagnose the charging system.
Here are some links
system design
http://www.mymopar.com/charging.htm
Generic testing - too much for a basic check on your van, but may help you understand how they all work
http://www.aa1car.com/library/charging_checks.htm
Here is a forum link where they walk a guy through a full check.
NOTE THAT IN REPLY #5 HE SAYS DO NOT DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO "CHECK" THE SYSTEM! I AGREE!
https://moparforums.com/forums/f84/charging-circuit-problem-11332/
I note in the testing described, he mentions a bulkhead connector. Vans do not have this, so ignore these mentions.
On a van, the connection of the output goes through this path - Alt. output wire through connector at back of the doghouse, up to the ammeter, across ammeter to wire down to back of doghouse to starter solenoid to battery cable and back to battery. The most common problem is the ammeter connections and the connections at the back of the doghouse. Clean all of these. Check for crispy wiring along these paths. Also as mentioned, the currently available regulators are built to a very low price point and often fail as you have already found. Swap to a good quality name brand regulator and clean the spot where it bolts to the nose for a good ground. It would be a good idea to clean the main battery connections at both ends now too.
So the basics are:
1. Start with a fully charged battery.
2. Check for proper voltage at alternator output (big wire) with engine running at 1200-1500RPM, not idle.
3. Full field the alternator by connecting the 2 wires connected to the regulator together. Do not rev the engine higher or do this for more than a minute or two. It will spark and the alternator will increase load, so be aware this will happen. Do not allow either wire to touch ground.
4. Check for voltage drop on the output side and the ground side as described.
5. Clean connections if voltage drop shows resistance.
6. Replace bad wiring or components as shown in testing and/or inspection.
One of these days I might write a full diagnostic with pictures for these darn things. It comes up often due to the tired wiring, connections, modifications and cr@p parts they sell these days.
Get that thing back on the road!
Van crazy- Number of posts : 533
Location : buffalo ny
Registration date : 2011-08-04
Thanks I start looking into it after work problem is it mopar night and van night tonight at local cruise night it would figure I got problems today of all days
