Voltage regular

2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA
14,500 MILES • 6 CYL
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JIM MATHENY
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Is the voltage regulator built into the alternator?
Aug 2, 2017 at 8:06 AM
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STEVE W.
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Yes and no. The regulator itself is in the alternator but it gets a control signal from the ECM to actually operate. What is the issue you are having?
Aug 2, 2017 at 8:17 AM
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GREENBAYPACKERJIM
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Not charging the battery and drains out when ever the air or lights are on.
Aug 2, 2017 at 11:39 AM
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GREENBAYPACKERJIM
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Yes. Will jump start and as soon as you turn one or the other on. Battery store checked the battery
Aug 2, 2017 at 11:57 AM
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STEVE W.
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Have an actual charging system test done not just a battery load test. It sounds like you have a bad alternator but it could also be that the unit isn't being controlled properly or has a bad cable to the battery. A system test can show where the issue actually is.
Aug 2, 2017 at 1:54 PM
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GREENBAYPACKERJIM
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Thank you. Would Auto Zone or someplace like that do it?
Aug 3, 2017 at 5:34 AM
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STEVE W.
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They have the tools, but most of the counter people do not really know how to use them very well.

If you have an AC/DC volt meter (even the cheap/free harbor freight ones will do for this) you can do a quick test. Check battery voltage with the engine off, now test it with the engine running.
EOV - 12.6 VDC on a fully charged good battery.
ERV - 13.6 - 15.0 VDC with a good alternator.

Switch to AC and you should see less than 1/2 volt AC. any higher and the rectifier has at least one bad diode.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator
Aug 3, 2017 at 6:44 AM
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GREENBAYPACKERJIM
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Thank you. I will try that
Aug 4, 2017 at 8:24 AM
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STRAILER
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Steve W. is one of our best.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
Aug 5, 2017 at 10:03 PM