Alternator or Voltage regulator?

1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
154,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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GENIUSB
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When I start my car cold the alternator charges the battery fine. After running for a while, I assume it get hot and my charging light comes on and the battery drains. How do I figure out which it is or are they one piece?
Dec 6, 2007 at 3:56 PM
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MERLIN2021
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The alternator in yout car has an internal regulator...change or charge the battery before you install a new alt, or you could kill the new one.
Dec 6, 2007 at 4:13 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Hi there and welcome to 2carpros. Use a voltmeter read the battery voltage before you start it up-Now fire it up load the system by turning On the headlights and heater. *** Record the readings, if its reading the same as before you start it-now take a jumper wire hook it up to the F terminal then to the rear housing. If the readings are much higher the regulator is defective-if not the alternator is bad. What you doing with the jumper wire is bypassing the regulator called full fielding and making the alternator throw out everything its got.


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Holler if you need more assistance/Have a nice holidays
Dec 6, 2007 at 4:24 PM
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