Where is my voltage regulator located?

The voltage regulator is usually found inside or on the back of the alternator case. Increasingly, though, late-model vehicle have the engine control module (ECM) regulating alternator voltage output through a special circuit.

How do I know if my voltage regulator is bad?

Another way you can tell the voltage regulator is bad is when the car lights keep dimming or flickering. After all, the voltage regulator is supposed to keep the power flowing to the lights, so it’s no surprise that those lights don’t work right anymore once this part goes bad.

How do you test a GM voltage regulator?

How to Test the Voltage Regulator in a Chevy Alternator

Place the red lead of you multimeter onto the positive battery terminal on your car battery. Place the black lead of the multimeter onto your negative battery terminal.
Place the multimeter onto 20V DC and measure the output.

What causes a voltage regulator to fail?

They usually fail because they’re under rated for the constant current draw. Running the motor with the battery disconnected – or even a poor contact on the battery terminals – can also blow them. The voltage regulator controls the field current applied to the spinning rotor inside the alternator.

Can I bypass a voltage regulator?

If you have a decent power supply and can control the voltage out of it, AND you know what voltage the regulator you’re bypassing is supposed to product, then yeah, sure – it’s possible.

Can I drive with a bad voltage regulator?

A bad voltage regulator may cause it to simply not work or behave erratically. You’re not likely to be able to start the car at all, but even if you could, it wouldn’t be wise to do so without knowing how fast you’re driving, how much fuel you have left, and other critical info.

How much does it cost to replace a voltage regulator?

The average voltage regulator replacement cost is between $70 and $400, depending on the car model and labor costs. A voltage regulator costs $20 to $200 and the labor costs $50 to $200. Depending on which vehicle you drive, replacing the voltage regulator can mean replacing the entire alternator or just the regulator.

How do you bypass a regulator?

You can bypassed the regulator quite easily by connecting the AC in and AC out on the regulator. By doing so your fan will always at be maximum speed. If your regulator is faulty and you can’t find an equivalent, a simple flexidimmer (from Amazon.com or any online shopping…etc)can do the job.

What happens if voltage regulator fails?

A damaged or failed voltage regulator can rapidly diminish the alternator’s ability to cycle power from the battery. This may cause the vehicle to experience dimming or pulsating external systems, such as headlights and dashboard elements.

Can you replace a voltage regulator?

This is possible because the modern voltage regulator is a sold-state device. When you have tested the charging system of a car fitted with an alternator , and the checks in How to test a car battery point to a fault in the voltage regulator , make sure that you need to replace it.

What is the voltage regulator on a Chevy?

The voltage regulator is built into the alternator on all Chevys made from the 1980s to at least 2010. Simply put, the regulator restricts the amount of voltage being sent to the battery. Without a regulator the battery would receive upwards of 30-volts of power while charging, which would quickly damage or destroy your battery.

What should the voltage be in a Chevy alternator?

When your Chevy is running, you should get approximately 12.8 to 14.0 volts of power, and there is a quick and easy test to determine if your regulator is over- or under-performing. Place the red lead of you multimeter onto the positive battery terminal on your car battery.

How does a voltage regulator work on a battery?

Simply put, the regulator restricts the amount of voltage being sent to the battery. Without a regulator the battery would receive upwards of 30-volts of power while charging, which would quickly damage or destroy your battery.