Car: 1992 Daytona IROC 3.0 V6

I bought a new alternator because my lights dim and the Ammeter gauge dives when coming to a stop. But the box says the regulator is computer controlled? I'm confused. If it is indeed controlled by the computer then what would be the name of the computer? Because there's quite a few things under that hood that could be a computer both on the left and right fender walls. Anyways I'm getting off topic. I have yet to install the new alternator but I would still like to know where the voltage regulator is for these vehicles.

Thanks.

 

the regulator is in the engine's computer and rarely ever goes bad. the breakdown of failures is about 80% alternator failure, 19.8% wiring problem, and 0.2% computer/regulator failure

 

Clean all the grounds up really good. The voltage regulator is built into the power module or SMEC on the driver side fender wall ( its the black box with 2 multi wire connectors that is on the driver side fender wall that the air intake hose connects to the air filter/resonator ). The computer is the logic module ( located under the passenger side kick panel inside the car ) that controls the signal to the voltage regulator to adjust the voltage to the alternator field coil.

The first thing you want to do is check the diagnostic codes, turn the key to on,off,on,off,on and count the flashes. If the voltage regulator is the problem usually a code 41 ( alternator field circuit open or shorted will come up ). If you don't get any charging codes its probably connection related or alternator related. From what you're saying it sounds like you don't have to mess with the voltage regulator ( i.e. power module ).

I just diagnosed/fixed my charging woes and got my 87 running so this is all still fresh in my mind.

Let me know how it goes...


you can also check out allpar.com, ther is aslo a minimopar site both have great info in regards to the Daytona. allpar gives a great description on how to diagnose charging issues.

 

don't waste your time with allpar only see bogus stuff and 2 bob's fluffing their feathers.