Technical Voltage regulator problems?

my voltage regulator isnt working properly, it sometimes works, it sometimes doesnt, im trying to figure out what makes it tick.

it seems to not be turning on when it should, with no regulator the generator makes 14-16 volts at idle, so thats not the problem. any ideas?

 

Contacts can get dirty, but cleaning them is a very delicate business....do a lot of homework before you attempt it.

 

Clean your generator brushes and commutator.

 

Generator should have run away voltage when not regulatated.

 

Lots of diagnostic information on the internet. Depending on what regulator you have.

 

its a motorcraft unit, was in a t bird

 

been done

 

Fixed! the "new" voltage regulator was out of adjustment. i polarized it, reinstalled it, and then adjusted it to 13.0 at idle, with 12.85 with high beams on.