The Ford Barn

kurt v · 11-26-2021, 01:31 PM

I have voltage reg that came on my 40 ford that looks brand new on the inside but won't work. Took gen and reg to repair shop guy said gen fine reg no good what makes a reg that looks new on the inside go bad, put new reg in car all good. Why can't it be fixed?

thanks
kurt

JT FORD · 11-26-2021, 01:46 PM

What did your repair shop man say about it ??

kurt v · 11-26-2021, 02:00 PM

ALL he said is that he couldn't do anything with it.

Anteek29 · 11-26-2021, 07:54 PM

Probably made in China? The originals rarely go bad - other than needing contacts burnished.

koates · 11-26-2021, 10:43 PM

Regulator contacts on cut out or voltage reg or current regulator could be pitted and burnt. Any of the winding coils on the three bobbins could be open circuit (broken) or resistors broken. There was a time when these internal regulator parts were available as spare parts (1950s or 1960s) but not now. Needs a trained eye or some expertise to be able to test these issues. Regards, Kevin.

kurt v · 11-27-2021, 08:39 AM

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volt reg was marked echlin 6 volt pos grd mod 402 and quite old.

rotorwrench · 11-27-2021, 10:08 AM

The Echlin VR-402 was the common NAPA 6-volt replacement and wasn't a bad unit in its original form but they weren't really made to be repaired either. They could be adjusted but that was about it. The modern blue ones are likely made in Mexico or Asia and aren't the quality of the old original black cover part. The original OEM parts from Ford were very good units and could be repaired. Stuff had screw hardware in some cases so a pole coil could be removed. Modern stuff is all riveted together and has light duty sheet metal or plastic for some of the supports and pieces.

A part that has been kicking around on a parts store shelf for 50+ years may have had a problem when new or it may have had some deterioration such as corrosion that rendered it inoperable. The resistors are generally mounted on the underside but are open to the elements if the box gets compromised.

11-26-2021, 01:31 PM	#1
kurt v Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: summerton, sc Posts: 352	voltage reg gone bad I have voltage reg that came on my 40 ford that looks brand new on the inside but won't work. Took gen and reg to repair shop guy said gen fine reg no good what makes a reg that looks new on the inside go bad, put new reg in car all good. Why can't it be fixed? thanks kurt

11-26-2021, 01:46 PM	#2
JT FORD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N.W. Iowa Posts: 306	Re: voltage reg gone bad What did your repair shop man say about it ??

11-26-2021, 02:00 PM	#3
kurt v Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: summerton, sc Posts: 352	Re: voltage reg gone bad ALL he said is that he couldn't do anything with it.

11-26-2021, 07:54 PM	#4
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: voltage reg gone bad Probably made in China? The originals rarely go bad - other than needing contacts burnished. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

11-26-2021, 10:43 PM	#5
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,079	Re: voltage reg gone bad Regulator contacts on cut out or voltage reg or current regulator could be pitted and burnt. Any of the winding coils on the three bobbins could be open circuit (broken) or resistors broken. There was a time when these internal regulator parts were available as spare parts (1950s or 1960s) but not now. Needs a trained eye or some expertise to be able to test these issues. Regards, Kevin.

11-27-2021, 08:39 AM	#6
kurt v Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: summerton, sc Posts: 352	Re: voltage reg gone bad Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) volt reg was marked echlin 6 volt pos grd mod 402 and quite old.

11-27-2021, 10:08 AM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: voltage reg gone bad The Echlin VR-402 was the common NAPA 6-volt replacement and wasn't a bad unit in its original form but they weren't really made to be repaired either. They could be adjusted but that was about it. The modern blue ones are likely made in Mexico or Asia and aren't the quality of the old original black cover part. The original OEM parts from Ford were very good units and could be repaired. Stuff had screw hardware in some cases so a pole coil could be removed. Modern stuff is all riveted together and has light duty sheet metal or plastic for some of the supports and pieces. A part that has been kicking around on a parts store shelf for 50+ years may have had a problem when new or it may have had some deterioration such as corrosion that rendered it inoperable. The resistors are generally mounted on the underside but are open to the elements if the box gets compromised. Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-27-2021 at 10:13 AM.