I keep hearing a clicking coming from my voltage regulator, as if it's having trouble getting a steady voltage. I neave heard this before I went to Salem, and now it does it constantly....like every minute or 2. I have changed the regulator, and it's the old alternator from when I bought the car...never been changed since I bought it. Why else would the voltage reg keep clicking?? This is killing me.
Adam - Take a digital readout on the battery before you start it, preferably in the morning (or at least after it's been sitting several hours). Then, start it up and see where the voltage wants to settle in at. Does it stay pretty much the same? Or, does the voltage slowly creep downward? Let us know what you find out.
Hey Adam.I had the same problem a few years ago(noticed it more at idle)I changed the regulator and the ticking sound was gone.Hope this helps. What`s up with your cam choice??? Later,Tony.
I just changed the regulator, since that is what I thought it was in the beginning, but it's still doing it....more than ever. I'll get a volt reading hopefully this evening! The cam is on hold....it may be a good winter project, though.
I hate noises like that! Sucks the fun out of cruising around... You might want to doublecheck the connector on the back of the alternator, the insulation on the wires tends to get hard and crack, then the wires start breaking/fraying, which can show up as intermittent charging, etc. That's what happened to me, caused ticking from the regulator, apparently as the connection came and went...spliced a new connector in, and it's been good to go ever since. Now I'm waiting for the alternator to go, so I can replace it AND the external regulator with one of the newer types discussed here on the board! I Love V8Buick.com!
Before Startup (after sitting for 24 hours): 27.5 volts After startup (running for 2 minutes at 850-900 RPM) 31.0 volts and holding WTF mates?
voltage is correct....is taken at the bettery terminal. I tested the voltmeter in my electric outlet to make sure it's accurate.
Adam, forgot to tell ya'......................think I saw YARDLEY swappin' out his S*ITTY alternator for your good one in the pits at Salem. *(notice that "SHEEPISH" grin).......no punn intended !!!!!! :moonu: MOON' :moonu:
ahhh haaaa..... I hope it was my good alternator that made his battery puke:laugh: :moonu: So seriously, is it normal for a battery to kick out 28 volts?uzzled: My voltage is fine after the regulator - 13-14 when there's no real load. When I turn on AC or lights or crank up the tunes, it starts to fall though....It doesn't appear to continue to fall though.......
ok so my voltmeter is screwed up.... I just tested the volts at the gauge in the car, and it still read 27 volts..... Time to get a new battery for the tester:laugh: The gauge reads correctly at the 12 volt range with the car NOT running.
New battery in the voltmeter and it still reads high... Voltage seems fine via the gauge though.. I need a new voltmeter now.:rant:
Well let's see.... The voltage regulator clicks a bunch even with the engine NOT running. Here is the connection at the alternator: :shock: ya think this may have something to do with it? I wonder what some of the other connections look like..
Hmm...think you might be onto something there...ou: What's the flat connector look like? I'll bet it's even better, the smaller wires come apart faster. Don't forget the connector at the regulator...
I didn't dive into it too much last night. I'll play with it some tonight and see what some of the other connections look like. This sucks.
