Is this wire connected correctly?

[LarryJohnson]

The old voltage regulator had this grey wire connected to the center mounting screw of the regulator, so I re-connected there when I replaced the regulator. It appears to be a wire coming from the ignition coil, acting as a ground wire for the voltage regulator. The regulator is mounted to plastic, not a metal surface. Is this where the wire is supposed to be connected. The battery wasn't charging before or after changing out the VR, but I"m not certain it's grounded properly.

 

[Mark H_NO]

What's that broken off white wire in the connector under the VR? The VR looks a bit twisted in relation to the mount point. If that how the original was? Is the case of the VR metal, or plastic? It looks like the connector on that gray wire is touching the outside edge. Hmmm.

 

[StarTech]

What's that broken off white wire in the connector under the VR?

The white would be for the lights. Appear the engine is a transplant and the lights were left disconnected.

The VR looks a bit twisted in relation to the mount point. If that how the original was?

Doesn't matter.

Is the case of the VR metal, or plastic?

Metal

It looks like the connector on that gray wire is touching the outside edge. Hmmm.

Doesn't matter as you are just grounding the whole regular metal case.

Now for the gray wire Briggs usually use that color for the fuel solenoid. So that wire needs to be trace and make sure it is grounded to engine's metal crankcase.

 

[Mark H_NO]

Thanks. That's about what I figured with the ground wire/case thing, but those were all I noticed from the picture.

So, I agree, trace that gray wire. If you have a voltmeter, check resistance to ground.

 

[ILENGINE]

Is that a diode inside that shrink wrap on the front connector. I hope it isn't connected in series with the voltage regulator or it will never charge.

 

[LarryJohnson]

Now for the gray wire Briggs usually use that color for the fuel solenoid. So that wire needs to be trace and make sure it is grounded to engine's metal crankcase.

Thanks. The other end of the grey wire is mounted to the engine, so it grounds the VR.
I switched it to the backside of the VR where there's more metal, but battery is still not charging.

 

[LarryJohnson]

Is that a diode inside that shrink wrap on the front connector. I hope it isn't connected in series with the voltage regulator or it will never charge.

no. the new VR didn't come with an outer connector, just a bare metal piece that plugs into the existing wire and the rubbery outer casing.

 

[Mark H_NO]

I'd say we need to look at the input voltage to the regulator, if the ground is good. Hopefully someone who is more familiar with that engine will speak up, but it's gotta be the yellow or red wire going to the VR. I'd check voltage on both of them, with engine running. One should be alternator, the other battery. Input, output.

 

[Mark H_NO]

Are the 2 connectors in the upper right of your pic the VR wires? They look questionable to me. Are they good connections?

 

[LarryJohnson]

Are the 2 connectors in the upper right of your pic the VR wires? They look questionable to me. Are they good connections?

Yes, the two connectors are for the new VR. The top one is a solid connection.
As noted above, one of the wires came with a bare metal female part with rubber outer cover. It plugged into the existing wire but the outer covering doesn't cover the existing connection. The old VR had correct connectors. WD-40 was squirted in each connection before replacing the VR. I believe they are solid connections.

The grey wire bolted to the engine has continuity. I just confirmed this. (The new photo suggests it's the yellow wire bolted to the engine, but this is not the case.