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Tracy Martin TN 
Orange Level Access
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Gallatin,TN
Points: 10777
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 Topic: AC 170 gas
Posted: 01 Sep 2025 at 7:02pm |
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I noticed my gages did not read power today. Put a new battery in it, thought old one was bad, didn't seem to hold a charge. I wonder if my tractor is charging now. Gage doesn't show it.Has factory alternator with the regulator under battery. What is easy way to check this out? What is most likely fix? Thanks, Tracy
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BillinAlberta
Silver Level
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Saskatchewan
Points: 357
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Posted: 01 Sep 2025 at 7:22pm |
My quick and dirty first step is to get a reading on the voltage with engine stopped and with engine running.No change then pull alternator and take it to a parts store to check function. It has been the year of the crapped out charging systems for me.One of the D17's,the CA 6 volt genny and Big Al the gas passer(7020 gas) all needed work.
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BigGuy1000
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Joined: 06 Dec 2013
Location: NWIL
Points: 130
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Posted: 01 Sep 2025 at 7:56pm |
First check to see if the regulator under the battery on the torque tube has a good ground, the resistance from the bottom mounting plate of the regulator to the tube must be much less than one ohm in order to regulate and charge properly! Some regulators had a short stranded wire to make this connection. Clean all!
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only AC orange
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Joined: 06 Dec 2014
Location: Eastern Indiana
Points: 525
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Posted: 02 Sep 2025 at 7:32am |
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To check if alternator is charging - place a screw driver or end wrench against the rear center of alt. while engine is running, if charging, screw driver or wrench will stick to end of alt. (magnetized).
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Tracy Martin TN
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Gallatin,TN
Points: 10777
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Posted: 8 hours 8 minutes ago at 12:16am |
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Can't use screwdriver, tach cable is in the way. Does show discharge with lights on. Fuel gage will not turn on or off with key. Looks like one wire at regulator is grounded to tractor frame. What do I do next for simple test? Thanks, Tracy
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No greater gift than healthy grandkids!
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TedN
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Joined: 30 Apr 2025
Location: Central WA
Points: 85
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Posted: 7 hours 18 minutes ago at 1:06am |
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With the fuel gauge also not working it sounds like you may have lost the accessory side of the key switch. It should send voltage to the "3" terminal on the regulator if I remember right, and that would be the next place I would check. You don't need to be precise about voltage for an initial test, it either has voltage or it doesn't. If not, you may have a bad key switch, a bad wire, or a bad protection device(fuse or circuit breaker). My experience has been with 190XTs, so I'm not 100% sure what you have in the 170. I have had a bad switch, and have had it be as simple as a wire not making good connection at the switch.
If it does have voltage then you will need to look at field voltage on the alternator to see if the problem is there or the regulator(or somewhere in between).
Probably not enough help to get it fixed but hopefully looking in the right direction.
Ted
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190XTD seriesIII, 190XTD seriesI, maroon belly 7000, 190XTD series??? project(or maybe parts)
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DrAllis
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Points: 21892
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Posted: 2 hours 3 minutes ago at 6:21am |
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From the 1960's local service schools on 170 thru 220 tractors electrical systems testing: If the system isn't charging, the first thing you do it verify the ammeter is functional by turning on the lights. If the needle dips, you can assume your ammeter is OK. Second step is to make (already have) a jumper wire to go from the "hot" post on the backside of the alternator into the square plug on the back of the alternator where the existing field wire is to excite the fields. A full 12 volts to that one (green?) wire will place the alternator into full output. If the alt charges now, you have a regulator or wiring/grounding issue. Wiring issues in those days didn't exist and maybe if the hood was removed sometimes the ground wire didn't get reconnected. If it doesn't charge, you have an alternator issue. OEM old school regulators make a "clicking" sound when you turn on/off the key. Modern regulators don't because there are no breaker points inside these days.
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