sticky voltage regulator?

RICH MUISE · 2022-01-29 16:21

Very nice day today....mid 60's. Took the '57 out for a 70 mile drive. When I first left, after I got on the freeway, I noticed my volt meter at zero, so I turned around and headed for home. Before I got there, it kicked back up to the normal 13v and stayed there for 1 1/2 hours. Upon restart when I got home, it went to the 13v. I've got to check for loose wires, but I'm also thinking sticky internal voltage regulator since this was the first time in 2 or 3 weeks I drove the car. What do you guys think?, and can I buy just the voltage regulator and replace it myself? It's a 130 amp Lincoln alternator.

KULTULZ · 2022-01-30 02:51

Is there a thread here describing the engine upgrade and what electronics you used for the conversion?

Ford Blue blood · 2022-01-30 08:11

Volt gauge reading 0 would not be the regulator. Even with the engine not running and the ignition turned on you will be reading battery voltage. I would look at the gauge or the wiring going to it plus ground.

If that alternator is a 2G or 3G changing the regulator is easy. They are mounted on the back side. Still don't believe there is a regulator issue.....

RICH MUISE · 2022-01-30 08:28

Yes, there is. Look in the project builds. I brought it upfront last week, so it's close to the top, but a rundown:
The drivetrain was provided by a 1995 Lincoln Mark VIII. That's the dual overhead cam version of the 4.6 w/32 valves, and EFI. I also used the 4R70W tranny, the driveshaft, the cooling fan, and the shifter. The CPU is unmodified. '95 was the last year for OBD1. I kept the EGR, the front 02 sensors, and being OBD1, I kept the ignition control module. The engine had coil packs, and spark plug wires originally. I did a simulated conversion to coil-on-plugs. I say simulated because the computer is just still sending out 4 signals, not 8 as in a true COP. The signals are now split in the wiring rather than each of the four coils firing two cylinders simultaneously.
There are about 94 wires coming off the engine and tranny, and for me, the conversion was made possible by Ron Francis wiring. They make a conversion harness for specific 4.6's (and others like the 5.0) that includes a Televork patch panel which is prewired internally, and has the computer connector prewired on a 18" wiring bundle. Just plug in computer, and that end is done.

The engine/tranny fit with no cutting to the firewall, tunnel, or suspension. Mustang motor mounts make it almost a bolt-in...just cut a couple slots in the '57s motor mount pads. Tranny crossmember had to be modified. With a 1" taller pinion yoke, the aluminum driveshaft was a perfect fit. I had converted to rack and pinion steering, so I had no issues with steering box/exhaust clearance.
That's it in a nutshell. Any questions, just ask.

RICH MUISE · 2022-01-30 08:32

Thanks for the info, Bill. Exactly what I needed to know.
Also, I think we just showed Kultutz how an electronically ignorant guy like me can still wire a 4.6 conversion with a Ron Francis kit.

KULTULZ · 2022-01-30 09:59

What I was trying to get at is if the PCM had a BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM whereas the charging is controlled by a computer. Being that early and OBD I, not likely.

Do you have a correct WSM for the year LINC? It will give you the diagnostic sequence(s).

RICH MUISE · 2022-01-30 11:44

Pretty sure it does not have a battery management system, and I have no idea what a WSM is, but you referenced diagnostics.....I do have a factory manual, and it does have the plug for the code reader.

abe_lugo · 2022-01-30 12:48

Get out your meter and confirm volts coming out of the alternator to the battery.
Could even be the gauge itself, maybe.

RICH MUISE · 2022-01-30 15:49

Well, as I mentioned, it started working after the car got warmed up, and has been fine since. Hard to find an intermittent electrical problem. Ido need to check the wires to the gauge and alt. to look for something loose. Electrical problems with this car have almost been non-existant.

KULTULZ · 2022-01-31 01:59

Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2022-01-30 11:44
Pretty sure it does not have a battery management system, and I have no idea what a WSM is, but you referenced diagnostics.....I do have a factory manual, and it does have the plug for the code reader.

Sorry, WSM is the SHOP MANUAL.

If you have the SHOP MANUAL for the year engine and info from FRANCIS, you got it.

BMS started in 1999. I wasn't sure what your take-out was.

KULTULZ · 2022-01-31 02:05

QuoteI kept the EGR, the front 02 sensors, and being OBD1, I kept the ignition control module. The engine had coil packs, and spark plug wires originally. I did a simulated conversion to coil-on-plugs. I say simulated because the computer is just still sending out 4 signals, not 8 as in a true COP. The signals are now split in the wiring rather than each of the four coils firing two cylinders simultaneously

I'm impressed ...

RICH MUISE · 2022-01-31 07:23

Haha.don't be impressed by me.........I was impressed by the guy on the Mark VIII forum that figured out how to do it and was selling the little mini harnesses to do it. The conversion sure cleans up the engine bay a lot. I used valve covers from a '97 Lincoln MKVIII to facilitate the change.
COP before and after pics: http://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?topic=3750.555 page 38 reply 564

News:

sticky voltage regulator?