Battery light stays on all the time on my 1985 E250 ford van, i changed the alternator, changed the voltage regulator changed starter silonoid, and it does not hold a charge after jumping!

If the headlights are dim when the engine stops, the alternator is not charging the battery.

A lead-acid battery will "recover" slightly when the engine is turned off. The recovery may be enough to allow the engine to be started again but if the battery is not being charged adeqautekly, the engne wills top running when the battery voltage falls too much. It won't last long, though. The battery terminal voltage should be around 14.5 Volts with the engine running. If it is 12V or less then the alternator is defective.

There are diodes in alternators to convert AC into DC for the battery. If you "jump start" cars with yours, its alternator diodes or the alternator's internal regulator circuit can be damaged due to excessive loads and/or what is called "inductive kickback" from the other car's starter.

Hope this helps!

does the van starts after is quits, does it crank or does the engine turnover?

Either your battery has failed or the alternator/ regulator/rectifier has. With the engine running, check the DC voltage at the battery terminals it should be above 13 volts but below 15. If it is outside this range then your alternator or regulator has failed. This is the most likely. If it is in this range then you need a new battery. As you have changed the battery it may need changing again if the rectifier has failed. but hope it is the alternator giving no output.

1985 WOW ! does it run at all ? if it does , check battery voltage, should be between 12---14 volts, check alternator also, a parts store can do this for you ! is your regulator outside your alternator ? cause most new alternators have them inside the alternator ! just thinking out loud, but stranger things have happened ! are these new parts the correct ones for your make & model ? battery terminals clean, tight ! make sure all GROUNDS are good ! very important ! what condition are your battery cables ? is your BELT good, tight, not slipping !!! sure your starter & solonoid OK ! not shorting out, from dirt, grease, oil, etc., all fuses OK! I think we covered it, take your time, go over what I mentioned, see it you find the problem, good luck !

voltage regulator is what would cause this problem, but according to alternator stats on this veh it shows the voltage is regulated by the onboard computer. it appears that this is what may be the problem. (initially were the terminals crossed,and poss short the system? if so then looks as though you would need to replace the ecm/onboard computer)

Troubleshoot first and then change parts! What was the original problem? It just won't crank over? The alternator just charges the battery the voltage regulator keeps from putting too much of a charge into the battery. Was the battery going dead? Did the vehicle start when jumping it with jumper cables? Too many unanswered questions to offer help, sorry.

usually regulator. Charge battery for a few hours. Start engine and see if the voltage is 14 1/2 approx. That would mean system is charging and it's a bad battery

The voltage regulator is internal to the alternator. They are not very often replaceable independently anymore. There are still a few electrical shops that can replace just the regulator, but for the price and labor involved, you would be better off to replace the entire alternator. You will need a new or used alternator to repair a non-charging issue.

turn your vehicle on, disconnect the battery, both terminals(while truck is still on) if it dies on you, then either the alternator is bad or wiring is wrong. if it stays on, then you may have a bad battery or voltage regulator. Check the voltage on the battery before you turn it on(should be from 11.5v-12v), when you turn it on if the alternator if working properly you should have around 13v-14v.

the voltage regulater is built in the alternator..take it to the nearest auto parts store and they will test it for free...either on or off the van