Buying a new Voltage Regulator

[SCHRUMGMC]

I'm picking up a. $32.39 VR tomorrow from Oreillys and I was wondering what are the steps to install one and set it. I've looked on the search bar but I am on a mini iPad and it's hard to navigate

[OrrieG]

Disconnect the battery. Remove the old VR and install the new taking care to mzake sure the connectors are not crooked or touching the housing. Reconnect the battery. Before doing any thing else CAREFULLY take a piece of wire and momentarily touch the "Gen" to "Bat" terminal once. It may or may not spark. Start it up and see if it is fixed.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Thank you Orrie, and does that price sound like a good one?

[OrrieG]

I don't know. I have a friend that has worked in the Oriellys system for 30 years, started with they when they were Checker is now a district manager. He used to be my neighbor and we wrenched on each others cars. Early on he told me that the replacement parts they sell are by design only made to minimum standards to last 2-3 years, even with a life time warranty. They did the research and 98 percent of the cars the parts were put on either completely died or were sold in that time period. When they did take them in on warranty, and they were repairable, they only fix the obvious problem so buying remanufactured stuff is questionable too. My daughter went thru 4 remanf ECU's on one of her cars with 90 day warranties and every one failed within the time, after the 4th she went to the dealer and bought one that worked.

I always buy good quality electrical parts at NAPA or local electrical specialty shop because a lot of my driving is long distance on western roads with lots of distance between towns, or off-road back in the boonies (I carry a box with a spare part for everything that bolts on the engine, brake pads, etc.). If its a Dorman or Standard brand you are ok, if their house brand, and you are not going to be driving the truck as a DD for a while it should do ok.

[SCHRUMGMC]

It's a BWD brand, hoping it'd last longer then that, the one on it now has lasted for 50 something years

[OrrieG]

Easy to upgrade, based on your intended use should do fine.

[SCHRUMGMC]

What is the Original VR N or P ?

How do I know if it is a N or P ?


I'm thinking about taking the Original Cover off and putting it on the new one to keep it original

[starterman99]

the N or P refers to negative ground or positive ground.Yours should be negative ground meaning your battery neative terminal connects to body,frame and engine block.

[DaveCt]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Before doing any thing else CAREFULLY take a piece of wire and momentarily touch the "Gen" to "Bat" terminal once. It may or may not spark. Start it up and see if it is fixed.

What is the purpose of doing this?

[Indian113]

It polarizes your charging system. Sorta like a jump start for the generator.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Lost my truck keys which is of course my luck

[Indian113]

Schrum, is your truck even street legal?

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by DaveCt

What is the purpose of doing this?

Short answer is that old generators need to have the field set so they charge properly if the generator or VR is replaced. Read here for more detail.

If you don't bad things happen.

http://web.utk.edu/~tprather/Foothil...Generator.html

[SCHRUMGMC]

Not right now, I misplaced the Keys as always and can't seem to find them anywhere

[SCHRUMGMC]

Where can I find the Key number ? I've lost the key and it'll probably turn up sooner or later

[flashed]

Schrum ,you may have to take your ignition switch to a locksmith to have it re keyed .

[SCHRUMGMC]

I was told they can do it by vin number

[Indian113]

That could be a big problem. Are you sure it is the ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH? Your truck is 55 years old things do get replaced over time. A new switch at Napa isn't to expensive and would provide you with 2 keys.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Its the original one, I asked the kid that had it before me

[SCHRUMGMC]

Looking at LockDoc's previous posts on some threads my Question is answered

[SCHRUMGMC]

So the number is on the side of the cylinder?

[DaveCt]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Short answer is that old generators need to have the field set so they charge properly if the generator or VR is replaced. Read here for more detail.

If you don't bad things happen.

http://web.utk.edu/~tprather/Foothil...Generator.html

very interesting, thanks

I assume its the same procedure for a 12 volt generator/v.regulator?

[lha1992]

Word of advice on the voltage regulators at O'Reillys. I worked at O'Reillys an everyone there knows not to buy the masterpro house brand stuff an get BWD. Well I did the intake gaskets on my 72 Chevy an changed the alternator just cuz it was cheap an then got a BWD voltage reg. later for it. Not even 2 weeks into use the BWD voltage regulator takes a dump burning the bat wire on the back of my new alternator an I end up converting over to internally regulated that night on my shift or risk having an engine fire on my way home.

Thought I'd let you guys know.

[OrrieG]

Good info, I get my electrical parts from NAPA usually Standard or Echlin brand. I have a friend that has been in the CSK company for 30 years, starting as a parts counter guy. He told me early on that they offer life time warranty but design "in-house" parts for 3 years max, working the odds that most of the cars that get them will be junked or sold in that period.