voltage regulator problem???????

[timpaton]

Hello Chaps,

Next problem for you brilliant minds to solve.

My temp gauge always under reads, even when fully hot, it barely moves from fully cold. In addition to this i have noticed that all of the dash lamps are very dim.
I have just had a new alternator kicking out 14,4volts at idle, and a new battery.

So where is the voltage regulator, i think i will have this out and inspect, and is the a common fault?

[Darrell]

14.4 volts is fine. The voltage regulator is built into the alternator and can't be adjusted.

If the dash/clock assembly has not got a good earth it could cause the lights to dim and the temperature/fuel gauges to read incorrectly.

[timpaton]

Darrell, Thanks for this, do you know where the main earth for these is located?

[Darrell]

Nope
You could try running a wire from any earth pushed into the connection block (correct pin obviously ) and see if it fixes things. If it does I guess your have to chase that wire to earth or connect a new wire altogether.

[Edweird]

My dad discovered that I've got a bad earth on my truck. He thought the headlights were dim so I had a poke with a wire and they got brighter when I earthed 'em directly to the battery.

[Christoff]

Sounds like good examples to use a voltage drop test. Best way to check for a bad earth, if you have a voltmeter that is

[ScottieJ]

It could just be that it has the wrong temp sender fitted?

[Christoff]

My temp gauge reads just under half way at operating temp, more like a quarter of the way up the scale or just above that. I just assume thats correct as it runs fine at all times.

Whats everyone elses read?