Charging problems
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Charging problems
On my 1992 dodge dakota 3.9 I recently pulled the transmission to get rebuilt but it took a while before it was reinstalled, after installation I came across the problem of the battery not charging, I replaced the ecm and the little deal that wires in and sits on the back of the alternator hoping that it would start charging again but of course it didn't, does anyone have any other idea of what it could be or would it just be easier to buy a voltage regulator kit and if that is easier what kit should I buy/ how does one wire it in?
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,267
Likes: 4,197
From: Clayton MI
Have the alternator tested.... Voltage regulator is in the PCM, and getting a second one with the same problem, while not unheard of.... isn't likely. (or, so I would like to think...... 
)
)
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
@HeyYou I didn't know how to reply as there was no button, but I forgot to mention I did have it tested and I had 1 place say it was bad and had 2 others say it was good, I even put a new one in and it still wasn't charging. I know the regulator is in the PCM but I was wondering if you or someone knew a way to install a external one and if anyone knew how to install an external one, I seen videos but they always manage to skip a step or don't explain it very well
Last edited by GreyGhost.2; Feb 7, 2025 at 07:19 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,267
Likes: 4,197
From: Clayton MI
I think there are a couple write-ups for installing an external regulator in the faq section here.... and there are numerous threads of folks doing just that. 
Being a 92, the PCM doesn't care about vin mis-match, so, if you can find another in a wrecking yard somewhere.... might be worth a shot.
Being a 92, the PCM doesn't care about vin mis-match, so, if you can find another in a wrecking yard somewhere.... might be worth a shot.
Champion
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 152
You can test the alt yourself if you have a multimeter. If it turns out to be OK then scroll down the 1st gen page for a post "voltage regulator" by member Bronze. He went into quite a bit of detail as he tried many fixes until he solved his problem.
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,134
Likes: 718
From: S.W. Indiana
On my 1992 dodge dakota 3.9 I recently pulled the transmission to get rebuilt but it took a while before it was reinstalled, after installation I came across the problem of the battery not charging, I replaced the ecm and the little deal that wires in and sits on the back of the alternator hoping that it would start charging again but of course it didn't, does anyone have any other idea of what it could be or would it just be easier to buy a voltage regulator kit and if that is easier what kit should I buy/ how does one wire it in?
Are you getting full battery voltage to the alternator? One of my trucks wasn't charging and the main power wire to the alternator was only getting 4 volts. You need to have 12 or so to charge the alternator so it will charge. It uses the voltage to energize the field coil to make current. Generators don't care but alternators need current to make current. It turned out to be a bad connection at the fuseable links sending power to the alternator.