Voltage regulator problems

[leanburn]

Ok, I'll try to make this short as possible. I have an aftermarket wiring harness in my car that is made for a one wire alt. when I installed the wiring I chose to wire in the original vr and alt. it has worked great until a couple days ago when I added a msd box somehow I started overcharging. Since then I've removed the msd box, turned all wiring back the way it was and now I'm not charging at all.

 so to simplify all wiring with the charging system I went straight to the battery with the blue for my " sensing" location and green from alt to vr as normal.  Still not charging. If tried 3 different vrs, multiple grounds ect.
 Can the alt be my problem even though it charges when I groung the green ?
     

[Chryco Psycho]

no if you ground the field & it charges the alt is working , so it has to be a problem with the regulator working or being grounded properly

[leanburn]

Unbelievable.  I had 3 bad vr's.  I finally borrowed one off a buddy and it worked fine. This crap that doesn't work out of the box really causes some grief. And I'm so happy with the no return policy on electrical parts, that's an awesome scam they got going!!! 

[JayBee]

Wow, 3 bad voltage regulators. You get the award for perseverance. Congrats on solving it and thanks for sharing the solution. This has been a real eye opener for "new" parts.

[mopardave]

Must be a supply issue. We sell about 30-40 a year of the 3 variations from mopar and have had zero issues. 

[KZ]

Did you get the same 3 VR's from the same manufacturer/vendor? I would definitely ask to be refunded your money and if they say no, go to the Better Business Bureau and file a claim. The BBB will then look into your complaint and many times that is enough for the vendor to reimburse. Sure, some hassle on your part, but it is the principle and worth fighting for. If you paid with a CC can you file a complaint with them as well?

[734406pk]

What brand is this? I want to stay away!

[BS CUDA]

My worst luck has been with OEM brand VR's. I keep a spare Wilson in the glove box just in case as they have been the most reliable.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Wow, 3 bad voltage regulators. You get the award for perseverance. Congrats on solving it and thanks for sharing the solution. This has been a real eye opener for "new" parts.

I've seen this more than once over the years. I can remember one situation years ago where a customer bought a used alt from us and came back a day later saying it was junk. We asked about the reg. He was all proud with his "new" one. I grabbed the ugliest one I could find out of the yard .... he put it in his car and shaazam! His car was charging! He couldn't believe his "new" part could be "junk".
(the Chinese crap is the worst...)

[leanburn]

What brand is this? I want to stay away!

I didn't pay attention and threw everything out. All I know is they were all made in China. 

[Chryco Psycho]

My 89 Cummins was the worst the water would run down the firewall at the back of the hood & the VR sat on an angle just under the vent so water would sit in the rear of the VR & eventually would penetrate the seal & fry the VR , I always had a spare in the glove box , they typically lasted approx 9 months to a year max