Replaced alternator, voltage regulator, and battery is near new, but the battery won't charge. Is there a wire somewhere that is known to go bad frequently I could check. I know on GM products there is small wire alongside one of the battery cables that if broke will stop the engine and it won't restart either. Does the 1995 tempo have such a wire? Also does it have a fuse for the alternator? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

measure battery voltage while engine running good is 13V to 14V then over charging is 17V to 18V DC
if ok battery gauge could be defect
if not ok then look for stuck pulley on alternator belt by removing the belt and turn all pulley free.

hope it help

If you wired the new regulator in with the old one, you've probably burned up the new regulator. Make sure that you have voltage to the correct pin on the regulator and make sure that you have voltage coming from the sensing wire from the alternator to the regulator. You must remove the old regulator completely.

Many cars have a voltage regulator that is integral to the alternator. Check to be sure it is properly connected. One year later afternoon the day before the Turkey was to be cooked I replaced the Alternator. I drove 200 hundred miles and had the car die at the gate to my destination. I failed to properly connect the Voltage Regulator on the Alternator. Look in that direction for a bad wire, fuse, connector.

if you replaced alternator 3 times , have you had your battery tested ? if battery is bad usually that will cause alternator to keep going bad . try having battery tested . might just need a battery

The first thing you need to do is stop wasting your money by replacing parts. Then get a volt-ohm meter and a test light to test the circuits between the battery, the alternator, the ignition switch, the starter relay and the voltage regulator. (a.k.a. Charging System Circuits)

To start, the "B+" or "BATT" terminal on the alternator (large black wire) MUST have a solid, direct connection to the battery. Check for the proper voltage here. Then, the red wire on the alternator at the "F2" terminal should be HOT at all times. If not, you probably still have a bad fuse link that you missed. The "F1" terminal on the alternator (Light Green wire) is known as your "FIELD" wire. It comes from the "IG" terminal at the voltage regulator. It should be hot any time the key is in the ON position. If not, your voltage regulator is not working or your ignition switch is not providing power to the regulator. Finally, The "F" terminal (Red wire) at the regulator should be hot any time the ignition switch is in the ON position. This actually gets it's power from the starter relay, which gets its power from the ignition switch.

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What Else Could Be Wrong?

My Car Won't Turn Over

A bad voltage regulator could cause the problem. Assuming the alternator is working correctly. Jump the vehicle with the battery disconnected and then disconnect the jumper cables. If the vehicle dies your voltage regulator or Alternator are bad, some vehicle have separate regulators from the alternator, if it continues to run the alternator is good but the voltage regulator is probably the cause.

have you had the voltage regulator checked it sounds more like regulator problem get an auto elec to check the regulator

sounds like a bad battery - check that -even if new try a well known used battery if you need to. Also charge the battery to full charge and then try it. Many ford [ merc] will tell you do not install a battery that is not fully charged as it will cause problems with the charging system. As a last resort try a new battery with a FULL CHARGE and check the wiring for very hard places near the alternator. These can be a sign of working the assembly too hard. Consider replacing the 'hard' portions of the wires.

You dont. Alternators DO NOT require polarisation as they can only be fitted to vehicles that are wired as NEGATIVE EARTH. If you have replaced the Alt, reconnect the wiring, reconnect the battery - Positive lead first then the negative lead, then start the motor !! Using multimeter, check the charge rate at the battery. It should be around 13.8 volts. The charge rate SHOULD NOT go above 14.7 volts and if it does, turn the motor off immediately and recheck the connections, especially any battery voltage sensing wires. if nothing appears to be wrong, contact an auto electrician and have them check things out. I have known faulty regulators, even in new Alternators..

The issue could due to the voltage regulator not working properly.

If the wires have been replaced correctly to the alternator, look for a metallic box near the alternator, probably on the fender wall.

The price for the voltage regulator should be around $20.00.

It is a good idea to replace the voltage regulator when you replace the alternator, since both are probably the same age.

Hope this helps!