[GC427]

The battery is not getting charged. With the engine running or not running the battery voltage reading at the battery is 12.5 volts. If it were being charged, I believe it should read approximately 14.5 volts. The voltage at the alternator (Powermaster 18050505, 17294RR, WC) indicates it’s producing approximately 17.5 to 18 volts. While the engine is running the ammeter (Lucas, AM1640 070, Ammeter 50/50, 45 Amps) reads slightly negative. When I turn on the radiator cooling fans, lights, or heater fan, the ammeter accordingly goes further negative as the load is increased. Thinking the ammeter might be the problem, since it does not show a positive reading indicating the battery is being charged, I took the ammeter out of the circuit and placed a jumper in its place. The battery still does not show a 14.5 volt reading. The voltage regulator is a Motorcraft Electronic Regulator FOPU-10316-AA NEG, Short Circuit Protected. The battery (Optima) was checked out and found to be working properly. Is there a fuse somewhere between the voltage regulator and the battery, or ammeter and the battery I’m not aware of? Is there a way to check the voltage regulator to find out if it’s working properly?