Which regulator assembly?

if the voltage regulator is part of the alternator it is normally in the brush assembly so it can be replaced by changing that module
if it is a separate unit , it will be in the engine compartment so it is a matter of disconnecting wires and replacing
If it is part of the ECM you will need a new ECm Talk wit an auto electrician to identify which you have

Hi Charles
I haven't seen an Alternator with a Fuse.
They Generate 35-55 or more Amps and are usually connected directly to the Battery Positive. Check at Alt. Main Terminal with MultiMeter. Check for Good Ground.


The small wire on the back of the alternator often comes from Ignition Key + to control the charge rate.
The Modern Alt. also has an internal Regulator Circuit to control charge rate.

If trying to save money.... Alternators can be split open on the Bench and repaired. Just put a mark across joint before opening.
Use a brush hook (make one) to hold brushes back while re assembling.

Items to watch for:
Brushes Worn Out - no juice to Rotor to excite (generate)
Diodes Blown - (Multimeter Test on Diode Function for shorts / open. Simple Unsolder, Press out & replace
Regulator Blown - Buy replacement
Stator Coils Corroded or Shorted/Open or bad solder joints.

Remove Alternator & Bench Test.

Good Luck
Alternator automotive

How to diagnose and repair bad alternator in your car or truck

It can be the brushed in the alternator worn or the regulator in the alternator is bad. How many miles do you have on it? The regulator and brush assembly can be obtained and installed fairly easily.

Your alternator-mounted voltage regulator has failed. Luckily, your voltage regulator is
replaceable separately from the alternator (most voltage regulators are integral to the alternator,
and cannot be separately serviced).

Note: this works for 3.8L cobra alternators/voltage regulators only - in the 4.6L model, the
voltage regulator is an integral component of the alternator.

1999 Ford Mustang Cobra -3.8L engine

3.8L Engines

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

2. Remove 4 Torx® head screws holding the voltage regulator to the alternator rear housing. Remove the regulator, with the brush and terminal holder attached.

Fig. 1. The regulator and brush/terminal holder are mounted on the backside of the alternator




Fig. 2. The regulator and brush/terminal holder are secured by 4 Torx® head machine screws




Fig. 3. Hold the regulator while removing the screws to prevent the regulator from dropping out and damaging the brushes





3. Hold the regulator in one hand and pry off the cap covering the A terminal screw head with a small prybar.

4. Remove 2 Torx® head screws retaining the regulator to the brush holder. Separate the regulator from the brush holder.



Fig. 4. Slide the regulator out-the brushes will move out of the holder




Fig. 5. The brush and terminal holder can be separated from the regulator once it is removed from the alternator




=========================================================
To install:

1. Install the brush holder on the regulator with 2 retaining screws. Tighten the screws to 25-35 inch lbs. (2.8-4.0 Nm).

2. Install the cap on the head of the A terminal screw.

3. Depress the brushes into the holder and hold the brushes in position by inserting a standard size paper clip, or equivalent tool, through both the location hole in the regulator and through the holes in the brushes.

Fig. 6. When installing the regulator, press the brushes back into the housing




Fig. 7. Use a thin piece of soft material, like this plastic wire tie, to hold the brushes in position while replacing the regulator, or use a paper clip inserted in the hole





4. Install the regulator/brush holder assembly and remove the paper clip. Install the attaching screws and tighten to 20-30 inch lbs. (2.3-3.4 Nm).

5. Connect the negative battery cable.

Glass & Regulator

Fig. View of inner door frame and window regulator assembly

1. Lower the window glass and remove the door panel.
2. Carefully peel off the door screen so that it can be reused.
3. Raise the window enough to reach the regulator bolts, hold the glass underneath and unbolt the glass from the regulator.
4. To remove the glass, raise the glass by hand and tilt it as necessary to remove it from the track.
5. To remove the regulator, lower the glass carefully to the bottom of the door and remove the bolts to remove the regulator.
6. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten all bolts to 61 inch. lbs. (7 Nm).

Fig. Installing the door glass regulator

Motor

1. Remove the door panel.
2. Carefully peel off the door screen so that it can be reused.
3. Unbolt the window from the regulator and carefully lower it to the bottom of the door.
4. Disconnect the wiring and remove the motor mounting bolts.
5. Remove the 3 guide rail bolts and lower the motor and guide rail assembly out the bottom of the door.
6. Installation is the reverse of removal.

NOTE The upper cable must be below the guide rail mounting bracket.
Showing window regulator motor, or assembly carrier with window regulator, removal/installation

Fig.

NOTE The illustration shows the removal and installation of the window regulator motor/assembly carrier with the window regulator on the rear doors. The procedure for removing and installing on the front doors is the same.

Fig. Slide a hammer shaft between the window guide and the assembly carrier until the end of the hammer shaft presses against the assembly carrier. Remove the screws and take off the window regulator motor

1. Slide a hammer shaft between the window guide and the assembly carrier until the end of the hammer shaft presses against the assembly carrier.
2. Remove the screws and take off the window regulator motor.

To install:

1. The gearing will move when the window regulator motor is removed; it is then no longer centered. The gearing must be aligned when the window regulator motor is installed until the window regulator motor is centered again.
2. Installation is the reverse of the removal (see illustration).

Motor & Regulator

NOTE The illustrations in the procedure show the replacement of the window regulator motor/carrier assembly with window regulator for rear doors. The procedure for front doors is the same.

1. Remove the front or rear carrier assembly.
2. Slide a hammer handle between the window guide and carrier assembly until the hammer handle end presses on the gears of the carrier assembly.
3. Unfasten the bolts (1) and remove window regulator.
   
   
   

   Fig. Unfasten the bolts (1) and remove window regulator
   

To install:

NOTE By removing window regulator motor, gearing shifts, it is not centered.

Fig. By removing window regulator motor, gearing shifts, it is not centered

1. When installing window regulator motor, the gears must be aligned until the window regulator motor is centered again.
2. Attach and tighten the bolts to 3.5 Nm. The bolts must be tightened to specifications, or damage to plastic sleeve on window regulator motor can result.
3. Carrier assembly with window regulator, installing:
   1. For replacement part carrier assemblies, the gearing is secured in place with a cable tie.
      
      
      

      Fig. For replacement part carrier assemblies, the gearing is secured in place with a cable tie (1)
      

   2. Slide a hammer handle between window guide and SF so far until hammer handle end presses on gears of SF.
4. Remove the cable tie .
5. By removing window regulator motor, gearing shifts, it is not centered.
6. When installing window regulator motor, gears must be aligned until window regulator motor is centered again.
7. Attach and tighten bolts to 3.5 Nm. The bolts must be tightened to specifications, or damage to plastic sleeve on window regulator motor can result.

Hope this helps to solve it.

Please don't forget to rate! Thanks!!!

Motor & Regulator

1. Remove the front or rear carrier assembly.
   
2. Slide a hammer handle between the window guide and carrier assembly until the hammer handle end presses on the gears of the carrier assembly.
   
3. Unfasten the bolts (1) and remove window regulator.
   

Unfasten the bolts (1) and remove window regulator

To install:

NOTE:By removing window regulator motor, gearing shifts, it is not centered

1. When installing window regulator motor, the gears must be aligned until the window regulator motor is centered again.
   
2. Attach and tighten the bolts to 3.5 Nm. The bolts must be tightened to specifications, or damage to plastic sleeve on window regulator motor can result.
   
3. Carrier assembly with window regulator, installing:
   
   • For replacement part carrier assemblies, the gearing is secured in place with a cable tie.
     

For replacement part carrier assemblies, the gearing is secured in place with a cable tie (1)

Slide a hammer handle between window guide and SF so far until hammer handle end presses on gears of SF.

Remove the cable tie .

By removing window regulator motor, gearing shifts, it is not centered.

When installing window regulator motor, gears must be aligned until window regulator motor is centered again.

Attach and tighten bolts to 3.5 Nm. The bolts must be tightened to specifications, or damage to plastic sleeve on window regulator motor can result.

// // 0) preLoad.src = ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_ImageArray[i]; } ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data.lastIndex = 23; ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data.populateLog = theForm.elements['ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_PopulateLog']; ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data.treeViewID = 'ctl00$cphLeft$chRepairTreeNav$tvTOC'; ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data.name = 'ctl00_cphLeft_chRepairTreeNav_tvTOC_Data'; //]]> var _strTreeScrollHidName = 'ctl00_hidTreeScrollPos';

VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS LOCATED BEHIND BATTERY.YOU PROBABLY MIGHT HAVE TO REMOVE BATTERY TO REMOVE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR.

at idle the alternator can just keep up with maximum current demands .. as it regulates on and off you will see a slight change in brightness .. at slightly higher idle speeds that should go away .. if it gets worse then you might check the battery termanal connections (clean) and the alternator brush assembly and belt tension .. when at idle the current thru the brush assembly is maximum and worn burshes may start to arc ... although i would not expect significant brush wear in just a year or so .. so i suspect you are just on the edge of alternator regulation .. everything is on at once so current usage is maximum and alternator output is at its lowest because of the low rpm .. probably not a problem .. just one of those little things that bothers us until we find out what it is ..