I have a 97 ram 1500 4x4 5.2auto trans and I believe my regulator is bad or going bad, when I lift my plow it makes the radio cut out and when I was plowing my voltage was at like 10 just idleing, I just pulled the alt off and replaced it with a 130 amp and it still did it, I don't wanna buy a PCM if I don't need it! Is there any way to install a external voltage regulator? And does it sound like that's the problem? Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

 

It could be your battery. Test that before you replace the regulator which I'm told is built into the computer. Could just be a bad bat pulling down the regulator.

 

I had the battery tested and it tested good in the vehicle I guess I could pull it and see, and yes you are correct, it's built in the comp! That y I want to avoid that!

 

I had a problem back in Dec where my voltage was dropping at idle...had the alternator tested and the diodes failed the test. Installed a new alternator. Drove it around for an hour, went to start it back up and got NOTHING, replaced it with a 27 series Duralast Gold and haven't had a problem since...jumped it off and drove it to my inlaws house and yanked the battery out...took it the the Zone and it was JUNK...SO I would second on having the battery tested OFF of the vehicle.