Will bad Regulator cause voltage fluxuations?

[Mark42]

2003 90 hp. The volt gauge sometimes reads 12v, then will suddenly jump to 15 volts. Then 10 minutes later, it drops to 12 V, even though the engine RPM has not changed. When this happens, it does not seem to affect the way the motor is running.

When it is reading 12 volts, I suspect it is just reading battery voltage, and the regulator is not outputting and regulating any voltage from the stator.

Is this a bad regulator, or should I look somewhere else?

(I will double check the connection between the stator and regulator again, but I am pretty sure that it is a good connection)

 

[petryshyn]

Re: Will bad Regulator cause voltage fluxuations?

Put a A/C meter on the stator connections at the reg and see if the voltage drops or increases when the batt voltage goes to 12. If the stator voltage drops, look to the stator....if the stator voltage increases, look to the reg/rec.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Will bad Regulator cause voltage fluxuations?

Before you condemn anything make sure every connection is clean, bright,and tight.