Tried starting the car after driving it early in the day and it would not turn over. The dash generator light comes on, but nothing else happens. With the key turned, the voltage regulator makes a buzzing sound. After turning the key several times, the car turns over and starts. I decided the voltage regulator is intermittently failing.
Order a new voltage regulator and installed. The car starts, but the generator light will not turn off. Put the original voltage regulator back in. The car starts and the generator light turns off.
Is my initial diagnosis about an intermittent failing regulator wrong?
What else could be causing the issue?
Are there different regulators? Both the old and new look the same, except the new one has external metal coils.
Thanks Jeff. Funny thing is I have never heard it before....maybe since the car would not turn over, the quiet allowed me to hear it for the first time. Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks again Jeff. When I put the old regulator in and it started right up, I suspected it may be something else.
I will look at the items you mentioned.
I checked the voltage of the battery before starting and it was 12.8. Checked it while the car was running and it was 14.3. Also checked it with the care idling at around 2000 rpms and it stayed right at 14.3, which is confirms the regulator and alternator are fine.
Thanks bigchief. I will look at replacing the battery cables. When the problem was intermittent, I thought about grounding, etc. Your suggestion makes alot of sense. thanks