'79 euro - voltage reg

[Rupesy]

Not a good week for autos. Now I think the voltage reg might be on the brink. Nothing before gave me any indication there was an issue. Its starting to peg at 16 if I go over 2k rpm. If I go over 2k while accelerating, it goes to 16 and if I settle down below 2k for a few seconds it goes back to 12/13. My fuel pump also starts to wine when the volts go up. Am I screwed and need to order a new one? Is this a common symptom of a bad reg or is something else going on?

Thanks,

[Rupesy]

pulled out reg., two wires in harness go to oil switch(brown and green), two heavy red wires go to alternator, one small green to the alt, and then one green wire hanging free. can't tell if it just broke or was hanging for a while. don't see where it could possibly hook to.

Any ides on that hanging wire???

[Rupesy]

Well, took all the connectors off and cleaned really good with scotch brite pad. Put everything back together and everything seems to be working as normal. We'll see what tomorrow will bring. Still would like to know where that wire is suposed to go.

[Rupesy]

well, that didn't fix the issue. Seems like if I run with the headlights on it keeps the voltage in check for now. If I turn them off it goes ont he fritz. I ordered a voltage regulator today and hopefully can make it a few more days.

[Rupesy]

Here is a picture of the wire that was wire tied up. Not sure where it goes. Anyone?

[EIPtuningR32]

Originally Posted by Rupesy

Here is a picture of the wire that was wire tied up. Not sure where it goes. Anyone?

well it seems to be really short.... so it couldnt go far. i know how feel about hanging wires. its annoying isnt it.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by Rupesy

Here is a picture of the wire that was wire tied up. Not sure where it goes. Anyone?

I think that one might go to the Oil Level Sender on the top/front area of the Oil Pan.

[Rupesy]

will check out that area...the tubing around the wire suggests it runs near the engine or something really hot...I couldn't find anything within reach of the end, but it does look like it was tied up for quite some time....

[MPDano]

Ok, now I am positive this is where it goes. Here was my original thread a few months back looking to ID the same wire





This was the response:

We can help with one of your questions. The hanging wire is, without a doubt, for the low oil sender, which should be connected to the sender on the front of your oil pan. The sender is held in with three bolts.

The boot is usually missing, or hard as a rock if it is there. The boot clips the wire to the sender so that the wire doesn't fall off.

Sorry, no idea on the alternator wire. Hope this helps.

Here is the thread:

Need Help to ID a Hanging Wire near Alternator

[Rupesy]

sweet....I think your right....I'll check that out next time I'm under the car

[785sp]

Highly suggest buying a brand new Bosch alternator, or putting in an adaptor for another brand. Don't buy a rebuilt. Search the related threads, and you'll see why.

[Danglerb]

Just depends on the rebuilder. Here in SoCal I know of some excellent places, but that said one hick up and I would switch to a Delco as others have done. Some rebuilders turn out a product that is better than new.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Just depends on the rebuilder. Here in SoCal I know of some excellent places, but that said one hick up and I would switch to a Delco as others have done. Some rebuilders turn out a product that is better than new.

Well, share the wealth. Who are these rebuilders?

[Danglerb]

I had good luck with this guy on ebay, sells a LOT of product, and stays very close to 100% positive feedback. OTOH the local yellow pages type thing had three bad reviews of a place with about the same name.

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/eagleautoelectric/

I was digging in my junk box and I have a couple starters, alternator, so I may take a shot at doing a rebuild myself.

[Rupesy]

Well, after a few days of just driving with the headlights on waiting on the voltage regulator to come in the mail, the problem went away. Voltage reg is running steady with no issues now. Will keep the new one around in case there is an issue later. Strange.

[Rupesy]

well I've had nothing but trouble from the voltage all over the place since I pulled the car from the barn a few weeks ago so I broke down and changed the voltage regulator this weekend. When I pulled the old one off, the back contactor had hardly anything left to keep pressure on the armature. Installed the new one and back to normal (for this car anyway).

Also hooked up the hanging wire to the level sensor which had nothing attached to it. Nothing bad happened so assuming its OK and works at this point. I guess I could check it at the next oil change. Any suggestions on checking it???

Now on to one of the many other little issues......

[Rupesy]

Well, after almost exactly a 3 year run I am potentially having voltage regulator problems again. This time just the opposite. When I get above 2500-2800 rpm, the voltage drops to the bottom and the red light comes on. As soon as the rpms come down, back up at regular charging position around 12.5-13v. Getting tricky not to have problems in the morning with the lights on at which time it doesn't charge much! How long to the regulators typically last anyway?

[Rupesy]

Well, it WAS the voltage regulator. It failed in the same place as the last one. The bottom brush was 1/2 the length of the top one. Not sure if this is common, but I suspect I may have to revisit this in a few years.

All this worked out fine, but not without a DIY moment! After installing the voltage regulator, I put the back cap back on. It appeared that everything was all right. Did I mention I didn't unhook the battery?? Well, didn't think I needed to since there are no exposed positive connections like US cars (not that I typically unhook the battery for US cars either). Well as soon as touched the mounts to the car...pop! and then some smoke billowed.... So not the first time I arced off. Disconnected the battery and finished installing. Hooked up the battery, but no charging . So I pulled it off again and this is what I found. Despite the fact that I even messed the wires to keep that from happening, it still managed to wrap itself around the post. Oh well, I'm back on the road so I am happy.

[Mrmerlin]

Rupesy, Go to the front of the class and write on the black board 100 times
" when I work on the electric system of my 928, I must always disconnect the battery first"