charging/spark

I noticed with the engine running, my volmeter bobbles around 14 or so, but when I hit the gas, it jumps up to between 16 and 18. I'm sure I have the voltage regulator wired wrong. Its one of the rectangular one with four wires...red/green/yellow/black. Now there are no directions or any instructions that I can find other then a ton of schematics. So I've wired it two ways now, the first was going by colors of the schematics. The second way was going by the order the wires come out of the molded back of the voltage regulator vs. the order of the wires on the schematics. Apparently neither worked, does anyone else have this regulator and/or know how to wire it? But on to my real question. Could this have fried out my alternator and/or affect the spark off my plugs?

 

I have the same problem with my motorola. I have a one wire altenator from a 77 Cherokee that I'm going to hook up and solve the problem.

 

If you're getting 16 - 18 volts, then you're alt ain't fried, yet. Pretty much the only important part inside that box is a big diode. Might just be bad. You might want to try a new regulator, since they aren't all that much money compared to a one-wire alt.

 

I agree with jayhawkclint, it sounds like the regulator.That is what controls overvoltage.

 

I changed the regulator already. I believe the old one was good.

 

I tried messing with the original regulator for a while but after frying two batteries i hooked up a universal ford regulator. A local alt shop sold it to me and told me how to wire it up. I'm sure you can do something similar.

 

14 volts is normal on a 12 volt system. The alternator has to overcome the battery voltage to charge it.. Turn the vehicle off and it will read ~12 volts.. 16-18 volts will cause you problems. I agree, it's gotta be a regulator problem..