4K charging issues.

[RS13]

Can anyone detail the symptoms of a blown regulator in a 4K DX?

Basically, the car will run by itself, but seemingly not charge the battery. There is 11.08 volts with the car off, but this isn't even enough to give dash lights let alone start the car. I'm reading 13.5v off the alternator without the battery connected, and about 1v under that with it connected. I figured the battery was poked, so the owner has tried one out of another car which was working fine, but after a couple of starts, it is now "flat" too.

With jumper cables connected off another car, it will start no worries. The starter motor doesn't appear to sound strained when starting, and it push starts fine.

Ideas?

[ollieboy]

Does the alternator light work, if it doesn't it wont know the ignition is on therefore won't charge. Took me a few months to figure that one out

[Bling]

with it reading 13.5v, unless the battery is a TANK, that means its getting charged.

I can't work out whats up with your situation, I had similar problems, but there was always a missing piece... I can't figure out whats not right with yours

[matt dunn]

I'm reading 13.5v off the alternator without the battery connected,.

Ideas?

It's an alternator not a generator on a tractor.


If you disconnect the battery while the car is running you will bugger the regulator as it will put full current through it as it has no where else to go!!

[RS13]

I'm reading 13.5v off the alternator without the battery connected,.

Ideas?

It's an alternator not a generator on a tractor.


If you disconnect the battery while the car is running you will bugger the regulator as it will put full current through it as it has no where else to go!!

Never happened to me, and never heard of that before. I was under the impression that most voltage regulators have a current limiting circuit anyway.

I'm going to get him to try a new regulator anyway, thats' the only thing it could be.

[NZ_AE86]

Never disconnect that Battery of a running car!
You'll $&#$% the Reg. and Alt. if your lucky!
Could be alot of things but you need to always have a fully charged battery to test any charging system. Make sure all connections are tight and clean.

It could be volt drop?

Put a fully charged battery (12.5Volt min) and start the car, check the charge rate at the battery, check it at the Alt main stud using the Alt as your earth too then put one of your multi-meter leads on the main stud of the Alt with the other on the POS terminal of the battery and then repeat for the earth side.

What do you get??