Replace voltage regulator without replacing alternator.

[on-ramp]

on a 83sc,
is it possible to replace the voltage regulator without replacing the alternator?

or is it internal?

[david914]

Yes, and yes.

To elaborate; the voltage regulator is referred to as "internal", but it's accessible from the rear of the alternator once the alternator is removed from the engine. Two screws and one or two wires are all that hold it in place. The only difficult part is removing the alternator, and it's not really that difficult.

[on-ramp]

thanks David,

I suspect my voltage regularor is bad.

on a hot day, when the car reaches operating temp., my headlights and interior gauge lights intensify for a few moments and then drop down to normal.
also, my tach needle swings wildly from one side to another.
and today my new radio just died, lost power for now apparent reason..and then came on again.



anyone else have those symptoms and cured it with a new volt. regulator?

[niner11]

Some of the things (tach moving around, radio on and off) indicate very low volage

My car ran about 3 miles after the tach quit working. Oh, and the radio was doing one of those Close Encounters on off things.