[svxcess]

.

My friend has more than a good understanding regarding Zener diodes. What he clearly said was, "there is not a secondary fail-safe Zener diode within the regulator as you have described."

He believes the Zener diode you are referring to is included within an integrated circuit. This will not be a 16V Zener diode as it will be setting a voltage applied to a transistor, along with other electronic items which control the charging current.

Harvey, there is certainly no reason for an argument. Two possibilities have been posted, Your responses come across to him as an absolute statement, while I have simply offered my thoughts. In order to dominate the thread, you are opposition to what we seem to be saying, but have not been able to show that those observations are wrong.

My friend has continued to be interested in the thread, mainly because of the rather arrogant, disparaging remarks made against him and his qualifications.

There is a third possibility which, although unlikely, should be considered if checks have so far not found the problem.

Apparently the power steering connections have been left entirely disconnected. However, if for some strange reason, voltage is being connected to the power steering fault sensing wire

This could upset the voltage regulator, as this would then receive positive voltage on its fault light switching circuitry. This is because it is connected through a diode so as to bring on the steering light as a test when the ignition is first turned on. This could upset the regulator and be a possible reason for both the incorrect lighting of the fault lights. as well as the above average voltage output.

This is something to check, since the differences between the two SVXs also the steering rack connection (or lack of). Maybe hook the alternator back up to the "daily driver" SVX (where it worked correctly) and unplug the steering rack connections to see what happens. This could eliminate that as a possibility.

.