2002 dodge stratus alternator problem? Charging test shows load voltage at 13.86v and load off at 13.90v . The results also say diode ripple - Ripple detected 0.46v HIGH? What does that mean?

have the voltage regulator checked
also have the rectifier pack checked in the alternator by using a multimeter that reads ac as well as dc volts
if it is ac volts , replace the alternator
if the voltage regulator is faulty there will not be enough volts to charge a battery
At this point I doubt if it is a short in a circuit but a problem in the charging system

The way to check for an over or under charge is to connect your volt meter to the battery, before starting the vehicle.
You should have a reading of 12.5 to 13 volts. If it's 11.8 like you stated or less, it means battery is not fully charged, or it's bad. Now start the car & check voltage again while running the engine, the voltage should exceed 14+ volts, this means your Alternator is charging, the voltage should drop after battery has been charging for awhile. When you turn the engine off after letting it charge the battery, & if the battery is good, you should now have 12.5 volts to 13 volts.
Now to answer your question, the Voltage Regulator is inside of the Altenator, I believe you xcan take the alternator apart to replace it, or simpler to just replace the complete alternator.

Check the alternator with a multimeter set to 20 volts, look for the thicker wires that connect to the battery. If you get under 13 volts you should bring it to an auto part store and have it bench tested. If it is bad it is either worn brushes, a bad diode or diodes, a bad wire winding or a defective voltage regulator. These are all problems that are internal to the alternator.

Go through few Alternator related solved Solutions including replacement of alternator.Select and Click the link below:----How to replace alternator? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-alternator-on-gmc-sonoma.html
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How to test alternator on Dodge Stratus?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-test-alternator-on-dodge-stratus.html

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How to test and replace Alternator on Audi A4 Car models?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-test-and-replace-alternator-on.html

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How to Remove Voltage Regulator on Car?

http://vwrepairhelp.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-remove-voltage-regulator-on-car.html

HOW TO REPLACE AN ALTERNATOR BELT

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-replace-alternator-belt.html

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How to monitor Vehicles charging system? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-monitor-vehicles-charging-system.html

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Car Alternator making noise? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-alternator-making-noise.html

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After replacing Alternator, the battery indicator light Comes ON dash?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/after-replacing-alternatorthe-battery.html

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How to inspect Vehicles Alternator?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-inspect-vehicles-alternator.html

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How to Test Vehicles Alternator?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-test-vehicles-alternator.html

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How to Service Vehicles Alternator?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-service-vehicles-alternator.html

How to Replace Alternator? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-replace-alternator.html

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Alternator testing? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/alternator-testing.html--------- Cars electrical system is pulsating? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/cars-electrical-system-is-pulsating.html------ 1998 Ford F150 pickup Battery Drains overnight due to Alternator? Alternator drains car battery? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/1998-ford-f150-pickup-battery-drains.html------- 2002 Ford Focus sits over night and battery goes dead? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-ford-focus-sits-over-night-and.html--------- Charging system problem on Chrysler LHS car? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/charging-system-problem-on-chrysler-lhs.html---------- How to replace alternator 1997 Dodge Stratus? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/how-to-replace-alternator-1997-dodge.html------- How to replace Alternator on Mitsubishi Lancer http://www.howtorepairguide.com/2012/10/how-to-replace-alternator-on-mitsubishi.html
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These details will help.
For more help.Keep updated.
Thanks.
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Instructions1 Clean the positive and negative battery terminals to ensure a good connection with the tester's clamps.
2 Connect the positive and negative clamps to the appropriate battery terminals. The clamps must make firm contact with the battery terminals or the test results will be inaccurate or the tester may not work at all.
3 Turn the tester on and choose the option for "full charging system test." This will test your battery, starter and alternator and provide the most accurate picture of the problem.
4 Follow the directions on the tester's screen. These instructions will include cranking the vehicle after the battery test is performed, holding the engine at a certain RPM range and turning on certain accessories.
5 Read the results displayed on the tester's screen. The tester should scroll through the results, starting with the battery, then the starter and finally the alternator. An alternator test result showing diode ripple problems indicates a bad alternator.
Thanks

Hi, the actual output voltage produced by the alternator will vary depending on temperature and load, but will typically be about 1-1/2 to 2 volts higher than battery voltage. At idle, most charging systems will produce 13.8 to 15.3 volts with no lights or accessories on. This can be measured by connecting the positive (+) and negative (-) test leads of a voltmeter to the battery posts while the engine is running.

Possible cause of the alternator not charging includes Slipping or broken alternator belt, Open diode, Open circuit in stator windings, Open charging circuit, Open field circuit, Worn brushes or slip ring and Defective voltage regulator..

I would say check altenator for proper voltage and pigtail on altenator for loose bad connection

Generally, you can check and test alternator with this procedure...

1. Clean the positive and negative battery terminals to ensure a good connection with the tester's clamps.
2. Connect the positive and negative clamps to the appropriate battery terminals. The clamps must make firm contact with the battery terminals or the test results will be inaccurate or the tester may not work at all.
3. Turn the tester on and choose the option for "full charging system test." This will test your battery, starter and alternator and provide the most accurate picture of the problem.
4. Follow the directions on the tester's screen. These instructions will include cranking the vehicle after the battery test is performed, holding the engine at a certain RPM range and turning on certain accessories.
5. Read the results displayed on the tester's screen. The tester should scroll through the results, starting with the battery, then the starter and finally the alternator. An alternator test result showing diode ripple problems indicates a bad alternator.

Hope helps (remember rated this).

Step 2 Connect the positive and negative clamps to the appropriate battery terminals. The clamps must make firm contact with the battery terminals or the test results will be inaccurate or the tester may not work at all.

Step 3 Turn the tester on and choose the option for "full charging system test." This will test your battery, starter and alternator and provide the most accurate picture of the problem.

Step 4 Follow the directions on the tester's screen. These instructions will include cranking the vehicle after the battery test is performed, holding the engine at a certain RPM range and turning on certain accessories.

Step 5 Read the results displayed on the tester's screen. The tester should scroll through the results, starting with the battery, then the starter and finally the alternator. An alternator test result showing diode ripple problems indicates a bad alternator.

Read more: How to Test a Car's Alternator | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2079784_test-cars-alternator.html#ixzz0spTYveGJ

if the charging circuit is low, then it appears that your alternator is going bad....

Battery terminals, when car is off, should read 12V+-.2V. When the car is running, terminals should read 13V-14V=-.2V

put a digital volt meter to the batery a check for 14volts or more with engine running if so its charging have you tested the battery