Alternator and Voltage Regulator

[simon291971449]

Hi all. Was driving last week in my 91 4.0 when suddenly my rev counter started dancing all over the dial, the volt meter flicked up to max (17) and my abs light came on. I also noticed the temp gauge creep up to over half way (unheard of). Car kept driving normally, and things calmed down (except the voltage stayed reading max, and I'm sure I could hear a slight whine which varied with revs). I stopped, and started the car again about 15 mins later. The volts was still reading high, but I soon noticed it falling as I drove, and it kept falling until a few minutes later it was reading zero and I ground to a halt. Obviously the alternator was no longer charging the battery, but why did the electrics go crazy and the voltage reading jump to max? Could this be an issue with the voltage regulator, and as well as a new alternator, should I be replacing this, too? All advice welcomed. Thanks.

[simon291971449]

Should add that furingvall.of the above, I didn't get the battery warning light at any point.

[davidr]

Sounds like a voltage regulator fault to me.
I think the voltage regulator is built into the alternator so replacing both would be the next step.

[ptjs1]

Simon,

Don't jump to the expense of buying a new alternator if you can get yours repaired. See my thread here:

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=15366

Cheers

Paul