ive recently been going through the paces with my cars electrical, when i got it there was all kinda of aftermarket crap in it that i removed because alternators kept dying out and wiring was just bad in general. Ive replaced everything except the voltage regulator including the majority of the wiring. Tested everything today and it was all good but got the light that said my voltage regulator was bad, follow the wires down and find an empty connector with nothing attatched to it, but its by the ac compressor at the front of the engine, not the firewall. ive just about driven myself mad googling everything i can about this and somethingss just not sitting right, i connected the new VR and bolted it to somethig grounded but im scared if i hook up the battery its gonna fry everything. Maybe i missed something? so now im here, any help would be great. (ill also be making more posts about this soon as i am trying to restore the car and have not restored any cars or worked on an oldsmobile before.

vehicle: 1985 oldsmobile delta 88 royale brougham
engine: 305 5L V8 (modded to remove the emission control and ac compressor in order to save HP, not my doing and will try to fix that soon)

 

I believe an 85 GM anything had an alternator with an internal regulator.

 

Yes Eric, is right the voltage regulator is internal on alternator.

White or 1 excitation voltage or keyed source and Red #2 is voltage sensing. Batt terminal output

 

What did you connect the new voltage regulator to?? As others said there were no external VR or wiring for it on about 72-73 and newer. You VR should be inside the alternator and usually people just get a rebuilt alternator.

 

Oh. probably that connector you saw next to the a/c compressor is for the a/c compressor clutch.... leave disconnected and a/c wont work is all....

 

FYI, your 1985 Delta 88 has a 307 cu in Oldsmobile-sourced engine, not a 305 Chevy. Do the math and both of those are 5.0 liter.

 

the alternator i got from orileys told me in a big huge *** red sticker on the side it needs an external voltage regualtor and that muist be replaced when replacing the alternator.

 

maybe i misread the numbers. top speed is 104, 148HP, 240 ft/lb of torque right? (my engines modded for higher horsepower by the original owner so im not sure how much it gets now)

 

What's the part#?

Hereis Orielys part#https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...ternator&pos=0

This is a Wilson automotive products it's a 12SI alternator plain and simple! BOTH companies state it's an internal regulator!

 

A 10DN alternator that requires an external regulator won't even plug into your factory wire harness.

The 10DN that requires an external regulator has a plug that looks like this:




The 12SI that has in internal regulator (which came standard on the 1985 D88) has a plug that looks like this:

 

this is very odd, mine has some features of the internally regulated one and some of the externally regulated one. also i was mistake i didnt get it from orileys. I did some testing and it states my voltage regulator is bad when i test it without the voltage regulator i have externally, and it tests as all functioning fine electrically when my voltage regulator is in line. i took apart the alternator and it does have an internal voltage regulator. so why does it come with big branding on the side telling me i need te replace my extrnal voltage regulator if i ever replace my alternator?

 

There is a one-year-only oddball alternator. In the 1972 model year, Olds used the 12SI case, but it used an external regulator. That alternator was ONLY used in the 1972 model year. If you were given that one for a 1985 car, it is incorrect. Do not try to use it.

This is what that 1972 alternator looks like. Note the terminals for the plug.

 

no thats not what i have. its got delco remy stamped into the metal but its got an az duralast sticker on it. reread the warning and it states this: WARNING this motor requires and external voltage regulator and must be replaced when changing motors.

 

How about you posting a photo of what you DO have and avoid the guesswork and wasted time...

 

ill find the part and send a link to it here

 

not sure what these mean but
REM-C003 18519 AZ7830-3R 020

and the duralast sticker says
DL7292-9
AZ7830-3R
8519 020

thats all the info i can find, an alternator shows up in autozone but its issing a few things.
sorry, i have no way of taking photos right now cause my phone is broken.

 

What car did you tell them you needed this alternator for? Either they got it wrong or the wrong part was in the box. Not unheard of. Next, does this new alternator look the same as what you turned in as a core?

NO 1980s GM product uses an externally regulated alternator.

I strongly suggest you get the correct alternator and don't even install what the parts house gave you. Also suggest getting 1985 Olds factory service and electrical manuals instead of relying on google to help you straighten out what your previous owner buggered up. Sounds like there's plenty of it to correct.

Electrical buggery can easily burn your car to the ground.

 

NO. Take a photo of the exact part you have. Otherwise we're all just wasting each other's time.

 

https://www.autozone.com/batteries-s...92-9/12337_0_0 looks like internal to me!