Didn't one of the chineseium fellers go a couple weeks before re-developing the gauge wiggle?

 

Close. 9-1/2 days. Then it got progressively worse from there.

I think the reason I have more hope this time is because of the two things I mentioned earlier. One, how quickly the needle finds home upon startup and two, how little the needle moves with the turn signal flasher (essentially none). To me, these are both signs of a very healthy regulator that I have not seen in a long time. The latter is something I never recall seeing but it's possible when the truck was new.

I have no idea what our regulator options are if not for those NOS OEMs. It does not appear Mopar makes them anymore and haven't for quite some time.

 

Yeah, Mopar hasn't used them in quite some time..... Whatever possessed them to think making the voltage regulator part of the PCM, is beyond me. Especially when the 'delicate electronics' tend to be somewhat failure prone..... Else, we wouldn't have write-ups on how to bypass the PCM regulator. But then, why NOT replace a 60 dollar part, with a 1200 dollar part? Makes 'em more money when they start failing.......

 

Exactly 100%!

You know, the refurb PCM I currently have in my truck arrived with a faulty regulator (and the reason why I have this external regulator). I wonder if many/most of the refurbed PCMs have bad regulators because they don't have the components any longer to replace them?? I suspect the electronic components in my NOS OEM are the same or similar to those used inside the PCM.

I have no clue what makes up a regulator. Your electronics are far better than mine. Do you know? Can someone build their own regulator? Doesn't seem too complicated to test an old reg and replace the bad components or perhaps build one from scratch. No?

 

I think the ones for automotive use are 'potted', i.e. there is some substrate layed over the electronics that both protects them, and acts as a heat sink. Of course, that means if you wanna do board-level repairs, you have to remove it.... which is a right pain in the..... yeah, that thing.

Components are probably still available for the repairs, its just that the QA on the refurb PCM's ain't always the best..... I had one member that sent his PCM off for repair for a bad regulator, the one he got back came with a P0505 error, and his engine wouldn't idle right. (as the PCM couldn't control it....) He sent it back again, got another one with the same problem voltage regulator.... Some of these companies have a really horrid reputation..... and I suspect when it gets bad enough, they simply change their name, and continue on.

 

Well, you're right. Looks like some kind of resin on the backs of all these regs (the Mopars and the Chinesiums). I assumed it was for heat/weather protection of some kind.

There are what appears to be "generic" aftermarket voltage regulators out there that appear to be high quality. They don't appear to be vehicle-specific, however, but I have to believe at least some of them would be compatible. I mean, we're talking about a Dodge not a nuclear reactor. Just wonder if it turns out this NOS OEM is at least somewhat durable if it wouldn't make sense to get another one to put in my spare parts box in the event I need one later on.

 

I think having a spare is certainly NOT a bad idea.

I found schematics and such for several different styles of voltage regulator... however, they started delving deep into techno-speak, and my brain just ain't up for that today.

 

Be happy you're not up for it today. I'm not up for it every day.

 

Day 8. Steady Eddy. Had AC on today (yes, it still works) and no problemos.

 

Coolness.

Yeah, I got mine recharged for the first time since I owned it..... (5 years now) and I have cold air. Of course, then the weather changed, and I haven't needed it..