did i ruin my alternator?

MrPants · 02-09-2004, 01:42 PM

i've been trying to intall my new voltage regulator. simple enough, right?
well, no since its me i have to do something totally ridiculous. i broke off one of the two spring loaded magnet things inside the alternator. so not only is it tiny, it's stuck somewhere in the f*cking alternator.
so does anyone know of a good way to get it out?
can i just put it back on the voltage regulator or did i ruin that?
if i run the car with the magnet in there will it destroy the alternator?

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

You will have to pull the alternator off and shake out the remains of the brushes.

Yes you have ruined the regulator.

MrPants · 02-09-2004, 02:33 PM

Ok i got the magnet out (i found a piece of hay in the alternator too).
SoCal would you recommend removing the alternator for a regulator instalation? im wondering if installing it with the alternator still attached is what caused my problem.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

The regulators in the early 944's are replaceable with out removing the alternator. You have to be careful of the brushes (not magnets) or you will break them off.

Since you broke yours off you need to get another regulator. Or put the old one back in.

Since you fished out the broken piece then there is no need to take the alternator off.

TheCooler · 02-09-2004, 03:44 PM

Buy an adjustable one.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by TheCooler
Buy an adjustable one.

Adjustable as in voltage not the length of the brushes.

ilikemy944 · 02-09-2004, 05:22 PM

Quote:

The regulators in the early 944's are replaceable with out removing the alternator.

So are the late ones.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by ilikemy944
So are the late ones.

Not having done this; others report the later model is a PITA to change in the car.

MrPants · 02-09-2004, 08:50 PM

ok thanks for all the help guys.
it was an adjustable regulator that i broke. im sending out for another one tomorrow. by the by does anyone know what's the maximum voltage that they go up to?
lessen learned i guess. the whole reason it broke is because i couldnt see what i was doing and i had no idea what it looked like in there. i ended up having to remove the alternator anyhow. wasnt too bad this time (except for that one damn bolt above the AC compressor) since ive done it a few times now. only about an hour to remove and reinstall.
on the plus side i looked at the brushes on the old regulator and they are extended as far as possible, so i think that's cause my charging problems.
i also hooked up my multi meter to the fuse panel so i can watch voltage while driving.

Thomas Spitzer · Thomas Spitzer's Garage

Hey MrPants,
I recently installed an adjustable voltage regulator on my alternator and ran into some problems. The ceramic housing part on the regulator was a tad bit too big and wouldn't seat just right. I ended up having to remove the alternator to get a better view of things. I had to carefully file the regulator housing until it would seat correctly. Had it not been for the alignment problem, it would have been no problem to install the regulator while the alternator was installed. Good luck...

Tom
1988 944 N/A

ilikemy944 · 02-09-2004, 10:52 PM

Just for reference

I changed mine in less than an hour, including removal of intake first.

MrPants · 02-09-2004, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ilikemy944
Just for reference I changed mine in less than an hour, including removal of intake first.

thanks for the encouragement. i spent about 4 hours on mine and the new on isnt even installed.
i think i may hold the record on this stuff. i spent over 7 hours on my clutch master and slave.

justin · justin's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by MrPants
thanks for the encouragement. i spent about 4 hours on mine and the new on isnt even installed.
i think i may hold the record on this stuff. i spent over 7 hours on my clutch master and slave.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by MrPants
thanks for the encouragement. i spent about 4 hours on mine and the new on isnt even installed.
i think i may hold the record on this stuff. i spent over 7 hours on my clutch master and slave.

It's typical to take much longer than what is average to do a repair the first time.

If you get a quote of a certain amount of time to do a repair, flat rate, this is an average from experianced mechanics doing that repair.

Remember: Never break more than you fix!