pacepony

i have a 86 mustang and the battery will not charge. the battery is good but i cant get power from the alternator to the battery. where is the voltage regulator and where should he wire from the alternator run to?

86HOGT

It's an internal regulator, if you check the voltage while the car is running, and it's too low, replace the alternator.

pacepony

the alternator is putting out 12.8 volts but i dont know if it is gettin to the battery. is it a straight wire from the alternator to the solinoid, could i just run a new wire coming from the alternator?

horatio102

12.8 isn't enough. While running it should charge at about 14 volts. Pull it out and take it to an auto parts store and have them test it.

pacepony

where does the wire from the alternator go? so i can check if it getting to the battery

horatio102

hm. Have you had any work done recently? Check to make sure you've got good ground connections from the alternator to the block, block to body, and battery to body. In my truck I run the main ground directly to the block.

pacepony

i just bought the car and i trying to get it fixed

horatio102

I'd make sure the negative battery terminal has a good connection to the block and chassis.

BigMg

You have three wires going to alt? or 4? also the big wire is the feed wire to the bat the wire is direct to the solinoid. and the reason that you had 12.8 volts at that wire is because that is system voltage from the bat (current flows both ways ,(remember)) My guess if you have good grounds and you other wires going to the alt are ok then it is the alt. get it tested...............

Good luck,

BigMg

FiveOhNo

have you not checked the battery with the car running yet (actually checked it at the battery)? if it's a new battery and the voltage is low, it's more than likely the alt.