1988 Chevy Van voltage regulator

1988 CHEVROLET VAN
25,000 MILES • V8 • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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DAVID MCNAY
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Hi- I had message on my panel that said "voltage"
next to a symbol of a battery. I was on my way back
on a 2 hour ride. About an hour into it this the red
message light up. It seemed to be running OK at
highway speeds. When I got off the highway and
was driving at lower speed my "service engine" light
came on. As I proceeded to home it started hesitating. As I turned on the road to my house the
radio started cutting in and out.
This is a motor home. That is the reason for the low milege. I suspect I need to replace the vltage regulator. I am sure it is the original. I experienced
this two times with a 1971 Dodge van I owned for
many years and replaced it twice my self.
My question is, have I done any damage by not stopping sooner to get this taken care of? Am I right
in my diagnosis? Thanks, Dave
May 25, 2010 at 9:36 AM
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CONSAKA
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[quote:92e3d68c96="David McNay"]Electrical problem
1988 Chevy Van V8 Front Wheel Drive Automatic 25,000 miles


This is a motor home. That is the reason for the low milege. I suspect I need to replace the vltage regulator. I am sure it is the original. I experienced
this two times with a 1971 Dodge van I owned for
many years and replaced it twice my self.
My question is, have I done any damage by not stopping sooner to get this taken care of? Am I right
in my diagnosis? Thanks, Dave[/quote:92e3d68c96]

Well actually I would say your symptoms are typical of a Alternator going bad. voltage regulators are built into them so just replace the alternator and you should be good to go. Alternators seem to have a fairly high rate of failure in vehicles that sit a lot. I have been able to revive a few by taking them apart and working the brushes loose or replacing rusted out brush springs.
May 25, 2010 at 10:03 AM