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Voltage regulator problem on 95 black max 175 efi

T

Tgish

New member
The engine abruptly shut down the other day as I was coasting in to the dock. Smoke started pouring out from under the cowling. Took the cowling off when I got it home and found that one of the voltage regulators had burned to a crisp. Any ideas as to what could cause this to happen? I don't want to replace anything until I know what caused it because I don't want the new one to burn up too. Thanks for any help.
 
...one of the voltage regulators had burned to a crisp.
Click to expand...
It could be from age. It apparently shorted out and fried itself. Test the battery voltage and inspect the acid in each cell for dark or cloudy fluid. If you find it then consider replacing the battery since it has been overcharged and the cells w/dark fluid are about to die. A hydrometer will help you diagnose the battery condition. Test the resistance of the stator before installing a new regulator.
 
The battery is brand new. Any other suggestions? A friend told me that maybe it wasn't grounded properly and perhaps that caused it to burn up. Sound plausible?
 
Silicon devices don't last forever. Losing proper ground can cause a variety of issues. It won't hurt to renew all of the engine grounds.
 
It could have been a bad ground (maybe) or a bad battery cable (if the power has nowhere to go it "backs up" and fries things in it's path) or as Guy suggests it was just plain "old age".

However, it could also be a "stator gone wild", at least the "charge bobbins".

Now, you could simply replace the regulator (rectifier) and try it out again.

IF... if it is the stator two things could happen - 1) you fry your new regulator and 2) it may take out rest of the stator (ignition bobbins) and also take your trigger with it.

(sorry, this is an EFI - could take out your engine computer - that's even worse than a trigger $$$$$$$$)

If the charge bobbins are the culprit you will have to replace the whole stator anyhow, but having it tested (need a DVA meter or a DDT terminal) might save you yet another regulator and a trigger to boot...
 
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