[84 Carrera] Recommend good voltage regulator?

[Arne2]

Any recommendations for a good, reliable voltage regulator for an 84 Carrera? Mine was replaced about 1 year ago after complete VR failure. Was replaced by a local alternator shop, no idea what brand VR they installed, but the lights are now starting to flicker a bit, and I figure I need to do it myself this time. So I'd love to hear if there is a particular brand or supplier that has been durable and reliable before forking over the cash this time.

[djcdmv]

I did the Valeo VR about 2 1/2 years ago and haven't had a problem...

[DRACO A5OG]

Can you remove it to see what's in there?

[Arne2]

I drive my car regularly, back and forth to work a couple of times per week, so I'd rather not tear it down until I have a replacement in hand. But I will report here what I find when I do replace it.

[DRACO A5OG]

Please do update us, I need to replace mine soon. :-(

Just replaced VR in the 190e, fixed a boat load of issues :-)

[Arne2]

Well, if there are no other experiences, I guess I'll go ahead with the Valeo from our host. Will post when I find out what the failing one in the car is.

[rick-l]

Here is my guess at my voltage regulators fault. This is all speculation none of it was verified.

The charging system failed due to the brushes wearing and making intermittent opens and the voltage spiked. The slip rings also had 1/16th of an inch grooves worn in them.

Replaced the regulator which comes with new brushes and worked fine for about two years when the headlights started to flash again.

Decided to replace it again and when I took it apart discovered I had trapped a strand of the fiberglass wire shield under the screw. This either caused the brushes to wear at a funny angle or the regulator to burn up from poor thermal conduction.

Have been trouble free for 5(?) years.

[Arne2]

Well, tonight I checked with my digital voltmeter, and I'm baffled. The meter showed an average of 14.5, never below 14.3, the highest bounce was 14.8. Now I realize that the refresh rate on the meter might not catch all the movement, but you'd think that if it was regularly spiking higher than 15.0, I'd have seen a few indications on the meter.

Any thoughts on other causes for all the lights to flicker?

[RWebb]

are they on relays?

[Arne2]

Yes Randy, they are on relays. But I should clarify - the flicker is not just the headlights. It's the parking lights, the instrument lights, switch illumination, etc. Not just the headlights.

[RWebb]

maybe use an analog voltmeter to check - you tested under the same conditions as the when the flickering occurs?

next, I'd remove each ground and clean in a strong acetic acid mixture - I usually leave it overnight

I use an acetic acid saturated Q-tip or piece of paper towel held on the grounding point with tape - you can put plastic wrap over the area too & seal the edges

then hose it off with electrical contact cleaner and use dielectric grease when reassembling

was the car ever back East? West coast cars usually don't have ground problems to the extent that rust belt cars do

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by RWebb

maybe use an analog voltmeter to check - you tested under the same conditions as the when the flickering occurs?

Yup. Watched it flicker while looking at the meter.

Originally Posted by RWebb

was the car ever back East? West coast cars usually don't have ground problems to the extent that rust belt cars do

Was sold in NC, but moved to Seattle within 2 years. Here in the PNW ever since.

[timmy2]

As all the lights are flickering I would tend to the fuse and connection feeding power to the light switch as well as the grounds.
Loose wire or connection at fuse terminal if you are lucky. Failing contacts inside light switch if not so lucky.
My new VR solved the flickering problem. Mine is external though, so a lot simpler to replace.

[sundevil64]

To respond to the original question, I would recommend a solid state VR such as

Zim's Autotechnik Voltage Regulator, 911 75-81

sounds like you have other issues though.

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by sundevil64

To respond to the original question, I would recommend a solid state VR such as

Zim's Autotechnik Voltage Regulator, 911 75-81

sounds like you have other issues though.

Too bad that won't work in his '84...

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by timmy2

As all the lights are flickering I would tend to the fuse and connection feeding power to the light switch as well as the grounds.
Loose wire or connection at fuse terminal if you are lucky. Failing contacts inside light switch if not so lucky.

Multiple fuses would have to be involved, and lights that are not fed through the light switch, too. For example, the flickering is visible in the trunk light as well, even with the headlights off. I'll have to do some more in depth troubleshooting this weekend.

[Arne2]

Finally got around to this today. Was going to replace it yesterday, but the garage was too cold to work in so I bought and installed a garage heater instead.

Now with heat in the garage, I installed the new Valeo regulator I ordered from our host. The one that came out was labeled as a HüCO, made in Germany. (The Valeo was made in France.)

Seems to be all good. The flickering is completely gone. While the digital voltmeter was bouncing between 14.3-14.8 before, now it is rock steady at 14.2. Even better, I'd swear the lights are actually brighter now. The turn signals now flash at a consistent rate while waiting at a light, and the idle may actually be a touch more steady.

In any case, the Valeo seems to be a better choice than a 14 month old HüCO.

[DRACO A5OG]

Yeap, just had mine re-built and not a very steady voltage, I don't know it may be but car seems quieter too