The voltage regulator was dripping black goo from the back, so I replaced it. The new one didn't work - my battery doesn't charge and the needle never moves. Took it back, replaced with another, verified part number, same thing. The old one still works, so I'm back to it. I ordered another brand. What are the odds? Am I missing something here?

....When my voltage regulator failed my alternator went to full charge and boiled my battery.
It was an open ground circuit....I guess your problem is a little dfferent...al

did you stick a voltmeter on the battery to see if it was charging or not? If it is charging, you should see ~14.5v at the battery.

I personally wouldn't trust the ammeter in the dash

No, I didn't check with a voltmeter. However, the battery charges fine with the old regulator, and the ammeter moves up when the engine is running. With the new regulator, the ammeter does NOT move up when the engine is running - it only moves down when I turn on lights, turn signals, brake, etc. Also, with the new regulator my battery drains to the point that my headlights barely illuminate the roadway.

After 2 bad regulators, I put the old one back on, and everything is fine. Except, it's still leaking black goo.

I had an overcharge problem last summer. Tried 2 napa regulators then a "standard" regulator. Finally the 4th one (mopar) worked. Alot of them are junk

I had that happen years ago to me,I was driving a 73 340 cuda and the regulator failed,pulled into nationwise and put a new one on,no good,got another,no good,and another that was no good,the clerk gave me my money and said to me and I will quote"I must be selling bad parts".I took my refund and drove without a regulator to a local scrap yard and got one,lasted for years.

Let me guess was it a Wells?That and make sure it has a good ground.Ive had a few that had the coating thick and wouldnt ground.Rocky

I beleive it was wells,I did have it grounded though.I guess they just had a bad batch.

the day i picked up my demon 3 years ago the voltage regulator went on me. i changed it (with one from napa) and it ran fine till the next summer it started not charging again. i assumed it was the same thing so i went and bought another one. come to find out that it was just a broken wire that time, but i kept the regulator as a spare. yesterday (coinsidance) i went for a ride with my buddy who jus rebuilt his 318 and did his start up last week. and the battery wasnt charging. i am about 90% sure that its his regulator so i gave him my spare one to try.

sorry for the long story, but i found it quite a coinsidance that it happened yesterday and i read this post today!

The ones I had bad were BWD brand from Advance Auto. I sanded the paint off where the bolts go through them so I know they were grounded well. Third time I tried a different brand (AC-Delco) and it worked. It was also $47 instead of $14!