Hi all--

In the 57 times in the last two weeks that I have swapped out the voltage regulator on my GT, I have often wondered what is a small metal cylinder with a bullet connector coming out of it located at the Volt. Reg.. It attaches into the harness at the volt. regulator but only has one wire leaving the bottom of the cylinder. It bolts to the top screw of the Volt. Regulator via a metal tab.

Last night, the wire finally broke to mine. I looked in catalogs to see what it was. I thought it was some kind of a filter to lessen "noise" on the line for the radio, but that appears to be in the alternator. Near as I can tell, one place listed a radio capacitor that attaches near the volt. reg. on 66-71 cars. It listed at $59!

Q: What is this?
Q: Do I need it?
Q: Can I just leave it off and leave the female connector for the bullet connector open, or do I need to plug it to keep water and such out?

--Paul

 

Depending on the year and engine, there are up to three caps under the hood. One may be attached to the alternator, one is in the distributor by the points and one is attached to the voltage regulator. The regulator cap was for the old style relay regulators. If you have an electronic regulator, you do not need he cap. No harm done if you leave it off. In fact, you may wish to sell it as regulator capacitors are going for $50 or so nowadays. B)