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davemc53
Dodge Dakota
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6/07/2005
14:28:43
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 Subject: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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I have a '89/3.9/4WD. The battery charges just fine when it is sitting still, but when I drive it, the battery does not charge. have replaced the starter, computer, alternator, and battery. Is the voltage regulator in the computer or in the engine compartment, or on the alternator? i've heard from different sources that it could be in either of those places. I definately don't see it in the engine area. Anybody know for sure where it mught be. I think that is what the problem is. Thanks, Dave
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93dak4x4
Dodge Dakota
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6/07/2005
23:12:59
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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i would venture to say that the regulator is in the alternator. and have you verified your problem with an actual volt meter? i would make sure and not go by the guages or dummy light. as for it charging at idle but not during driving that doesnt make much sense, the charge rate should go up with an increase in rpm. so if it charges at idle it should be charging when driven. you might just have some kind of short circuit in wiring when you put it in drive telling your guage that its negative...?
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2005
16:05:41
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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Chrysler does not put the regulator in the alternator. On most of its products in the last 20 years, the regulator circuitry is shared between the ECM and the so-called power module.
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JB
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2005
16:13:51
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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I too am a bit confused, you say when it sits it charges just fine, do you mean Idle, or when it's off it doesn't lose charge? Who's done the work? Do you have a repair manual? If not go buy a Hanes repair manual, it cover 87-93. I have an 88 and that manual is the best investment I've ever done. I'll check it when I get home.
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davemc53
Dodge Dakota
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6/08/2005
16:21:40
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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It charges fine when it idles. It doesn't lose the charge overnight. The computer I got from a used parts store supposedly had 1/2 the miles on it of my truck, the numbers on the side of it were slightly different though. Would that make a difference? They told me it would work in my truck. I can exchange it if I have to because it had a 90-day warranty. let me know what the manual says. I am also going to go to the library and see what the Chilton book says.
Thanks,
Dave
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JB
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2005
00:35:44
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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If you have the right computer...the SMEC used 88-91, Hanes say this about the charging sys:
"The charging systm includes the alternator with either external voltage regulator or the Single Module Engine Controller (SMEC) regulating the charging system output. Also included in the system is a charge indicator, the battery, a fusible link and the wiring between all the components."
So I guess you can stop looking for a voltage regulator, the computer does that in house. I think I'd go see if your warranty is as good as you and I hope it is. 93dak is right, voltage output of the alternator increases with engine speed which is why you should always tell people you just jump started to drive on the freeway for a few minutes to be sure they get a good charge before shutting down.
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davemc53
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2005
10:08:42
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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Thanks for all the help everyone! I am going to exchange the computer they sent me for one with the exact numbers on it and hope for the best.
Would the "fuseable link" be something I should check? And where might it be?
Thanks,
Dave
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JB
Dodge Dakota
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6/09/2005
18:07:00
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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It wouldn't hurt to check it. From what I can tell reading the manual though, output voltage is controlled by the computer. One thing that seems odd to me is that if it charges fine when sitting than the alternator and computer are doing their job. But, if you drive and it drains the battery, it would seem that your alt is not handling the load required by the engine and any other accessories that you might be running. Is the Amp rating high enough on your new alt? I think it's supposed to be 60amp.
I've heard the GMC yukon's with radio, headlights and A/C running drain their batteries because the factory alt. doesn't have high enough amperage output.
Are you running any igintion mods? MSD igintion or hotter coil or spark plugs?
I'll look up the location of the link for you, but I really think you should take it in for an electrical system diagnostic...at least if this computer swap doesn't do it.
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JB
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2005
00:30:53
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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It appears from the wiring diagram says the fusible link location is "Left side Shock Tower" basically driverside wheel well area.
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davemc53
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2005
08:38:10
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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The auto parts place I got the replacement computer admitted their mistake and are going to exchange it for the correct one at N/C. I assumed that they sent the correct one and didn't check the numbers on it. They said that it could make a huge difference in whether it is compatible with my truck or not. Hopefully they are correct that is the problem. If not, I am going to check all the wire connectors and fuseable links to see if there is any bad connections. A lot of them have a dusty oil build-up on them. In the meantime I am going to have the alternator checked to see if it is maybe bad and that it is putting out the right amount of voltage.
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leroy
Dodge Dakota
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7/09/2012
23:39:00
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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Message:
want to know so i could change it
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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7/10/2012
20:44:34
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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Message:
Depending on year, make and model of the vehicle you
have, it could be in the PCM.
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ken williams
Dodge Dakota
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2/02/2014
17:38:11
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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I replace my alternator cause my vehicles over charging
where Is my voltage regulator is it in the computer or is it
mounted on the back of the alternator
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ASE
Dodge Dakota
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2/04/2014
17:48:52
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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Your screwed! It is part of the PCM.
Take it to a professional like me. I love taking money from uneducated consumers.
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Todd
Dodge Dakota
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12/25/2015
09:28:46
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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Message:
I have 96 dakota v8 alt.shop looked at alt.and comp
an said there is external regulator,cant find any
info about this combo where is it located alt.is
running wide open at 30 volts
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Black Pearl
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2017
19:35:57
|  RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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I have the solution to your issues. YES I'm late to this, but for future people who have this problem ill start with my symptoms. My 1989 3.9L 4x4 Dakota, with manual trans was for the past couple weeks a little low on voltage I figured it was the battery getting old being almost a 10 yr old battery... But last night the low beams suddenly got so bright it looked like I had 400 LED light bars on the front of my truck it was SICK! But I noticed my volt gauge was maxed out so I shut it off before it caught on fire.. I knew it was the voltage regulator at this point because it would max out then drop to 9 volts then max out. Anyway the manual is garbage it tells you the PCM is complex and to go to a dealer. (FAIL) hanes.. anyway the voltage regulator is built into the alternator on the fuel injected 3.9L trucks from 88-89, so I simply replaced the $180.00 alternator and the problem was 100% solved. I might note that my truck was manufactured in fall of 88, as a 89 model. Hope this helps
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best pron
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2018
10:57:51
| zjPRYSwPzIKJBAX
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Jxno3y keep up the superb piece of work, I read few articles on this web site and I think that your web site is very interesting and has got sets of excellent information.
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Vernon Streat
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2022
20:17:44
| RE: Help! Where's my voltage regulator?
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Want to know where is the voyage regulator
on a 1995 dodge Dakota
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