[harbers1]

I have a 1985 dodge truck with a 318. I put a battery, voltage regulator and a altenator on it and it still is not charging the battery. Any suggestions on what to check? Everything electrically functions fine on the truck other than charging the battery.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

I remember years ago that once you installed a new separate voltage regulator you had to polarize it by creating a spark. Read the instructions that came with the regulator and see if you need to do that. Below is what I'm talking about:

Polarization is a procedure which matches the polarity for the generator and the voltage regulator. The majority of the vehicles are manufactured negative ground although some of the older vehicles were manufactured positive ground. The generator has to be set up for either polarity. The generator will charge either way, however the voltage regulator has only one polarity. Whenever the battery is disconnected from the vehicle for any reason the polarization procedure should be performed.

The recommendation on how to polarize a charging system is the following: After installing a battery, generator, or voltage regulator, follow these procedures. The terminals on the voltage regulator are labeled with letters and this is where you will do the polarizing procedure. Both of the components will have battery power so do not start the vehicle or turn on the ignition switch before polarizing them. You will need a small piece of wire fourteen or sixteen gauge with alligator clips on the ends. Find the "B" terminal on the regulator and attach one of the alligator clips, find the "D" terminal and touch the terminal with the other alligator clip. You can touch the terminals a few times and it will produce a soft light spark. Under no circumstances touch the "F" terminal or any other part of the regulator or you could damage the regulator.

[philsan]

1985 dodge trucks use an electronic solid-state voltage regulator. Do not attempt to polarize this system. Alternator damage can result. Follow the B+ wire from the alternator back to the battery. You will probably find a burnt fuse link close to the battery at the starter relay.