Bad Voltage Regulator?

[Bernard Littau]

> On my way to work this morning I notices the lights on my dash flickering.
> I then looked at my voltage gauge and noticed that it was fluctuating
> between 14 and 11.5 volts.  Upon further observation I noticed
> that when the
> RPM's were above Idle the voltage would drop.  When at idle the voltage
> would go back to a solid 14 volts.  To me this sounds like a voltage
> regulator going south.  Does this sound accurate or has anyone seen this
> before?

Hi Chris,

Sounds more like brushes than regulator.

14V is normal charging, and is a pretty good indication that the voltage
regulator is working.

11.5V sounds like not charging at all.

The problem, since it appears to be rpm dependent, might be the brushes or
slip rings (where the brushes touch), or it could be a bad electrical
connection or broken wire (hot or ground) somewhere.

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA