Voltage Regulator - removal process and reinstall- easy?

[clydesdale]

This is on a bosch alt. Do I just remove the airbox and then remove the two screws holding the VR in place, remove and push the new one in place and then reinstall the 2 retaining screws?

Is there anything that needs to be lined up or just align the screws and I'm done? Thanks.

[reelizmpro]

Yes, very easy. Make sure the brushes are lined up right and disconnect the battery.

[clydesdale]

Thanks for the reply. What do you mean by aligning the brushes? I see the two nubs that stick out of the voltage regulator. These are the ones that often get worn. I believe those are brushes, correct. They seem to wiggle a little back and forth. What do you do to align them?

[ST1G]

Thanks for the reply. What do you mean by aligning the brushes? I see the two nubs that stick out of the voltage regulator. These are the ones that often get worn. I believe those are brushes, correct. They seem to wiggle a little back and forth. What do you do to align them?

Those are the brushes.

[reelizmpro]

Thanks for the reply. What do you mean by aligning the brushes? I see the two nubs that stick out of the voltage regulator. These are the ones that often get worn. I believe those are brushes, correct. They seem to wiggle a little back and forth. What do you do to align them?

Perhaps align wasn't the right word, more like compress the brushes. It will become apparent once you go install a new regulator.

[clydesdale]

ok, thanks guys.

[clydesdale]

There must be something to "align" the brushes. I put the new regulator in and the voltage was only 11.5. I removed it and put the old one back in and got 16.2v. I then removed the old and put the new one back in and got 14.1v. So, something was not happy when I first installed it. But, all seems good now. What the heck do you have to align. I just pushed it into place and lined up the screw holes.

[reelizmpro]

You install it at an angle first so the brushes clear then they compress once fully seated.

[Prost]

Kind of off topic, how do you know what brand is the alternator beside taking it off?

[ST1G]

Kind of off topic, how do you know what brand is the alternator beside taking it off?

look for sticker or stamp?

[Prost]

look for sticker or stamp?

Are those visible from the top?

[estoguy]

I think mine is Bosch. It's the factory original - I did replace my regulator last spring. Still running strong after 29 years.

I have a new BMW reman unit I got for $100, and it only has a BMW "Remanufactured" sticker on it.

[Prost]

Just took out the airbox this morning to access the alternator, it's not a bosch since there is no easily change voltage regulator visible at the back of the alternator...I guess mine cannot be a simple change...

[reelizmpro]

Valeo perhaps?

[Prost]

Valeo perhaps?

I think so, but the process is not as simple as the Bosch...