On top of the relay box sits the voltage regulator (note that this one is NOT the original bakelite one) .
Home | 
Links&Readings |
Browse by Subject (alphabetical) |
Maintenance Projects
On top of the relay box sits the voltage regulator (note that this one is NOT the original bakelite one) .
This device transforms a fluctuating source (higher) of voltage into a perfectly stable (lower) voltage.
Most of them have a code
letters-78-2digits_indicating-the-output-voltage (like L7805CV). It
goes on every cars that has an alternator.
It limits the output voltage from the alternator (13.8 to 14.2 volt)
which is the correct level to allow battery charging but not enough to
burn out light bulbs or damage components.
Plug a multimeter on the battery terminals on V-DC position. You
should read an output ranging from 12.3 to 12.6 for a healthy battery.
Start the engine and make it run up to 1500-2000 rpm : multimeter
should show a rising voltage but it should stabilize UNDER 14.2 volts
if the voltage regulator functions properly.
