rickyralph

Trying to help a friend with a car issue. A mechanic told him it was the voltage regulator and at this point i tend to agree.

Some things I have read make it sound like it's attached to the Alternator. To make matters a little more squirrely they are two different VR's available thru autozone that supposedly fit his van / it's a 1991 G20 V6. Any incites appreciated. Thank you.

Rednucleus

I looked at Rock auto; I think the VR is inside the alternator - which I think is the case for most newer vehicles (vs my 68 with VR separate under the hood). Probably best to replace the alternator vs tearing in to it to do the VR

rickyralph

yeah Rock Auto is Showing two. Are there two? One on the Alternator.... where's the other?

kevinkpk

There is only 1. What appears on the rock auto page is internal to the alternator. Is there a seperate plug in the alternator with F marked on it?

rickyralph

I'm not sure. I don't have his van yet. Just trying to decide if this is something I can do as a mobile operation. Either way seems like all signs point to replacing the alternator.

kevinkpk

Probably better off doing that. Is the voltage unstable? As in, fluctuates with lights on\off ect?

rickyralph

yeah his complaint is that it drains the battery (new) pretty fast. he's able to recharge it overnight and it will last almost a week before dying again. Seems like the alternator itself is doing it's job or the van would die much quicker.