SFR

So the battery/alternator light has been coming on for the last few months.

I replaced the batter about a month ago and that didnt fix the problem, so I did research on the forums and saw that the voltage regulator was a common problem so I decided to replace it.

I have the valeo alternator, and got the valeo voltage regulator.

I installed it today with out any problems. One thing I was confused about is I didn't see any the brushes sticking out like i did on the old one. There was a piece of paper that showed how to put the regulator on, and it showed to push the regulator down on the alternator until it snaps, so thats what I did and I pulled up gently and it didn't come off. I assume the brushes came into contact after I the regulator snapped.

I started up the car and checked the voltage and the battery is no longer being charged...

Can someone please tell me what I may have done wrong so I can fix it on my own. I don't want to take my car back to a mechanic...
This is my only car, so I need to get this fixed tomorrow!

Thanks.

Carsy

I would put the old one back in until I received more advice.

Moviela

If you are not comfortable making meaningful measurements of the regulator circuit, you need some help. You changed the regulator, but you did not know it was bad. You don't know if the new one is good! Take the alternator off and have it tested in a parts store. Many do it for free. They connect a belt to the shaft and do a dynamic test. The results of the test should point you in the direction you need to follow.

Is there any, any, posibility the wire from the alternator to the battery is bad, corroded, or connected to the wrong place?

Be careful when working around these parts, as you might fry the front SAM.

MBtech1098

Did you do it with the alternator in the car? If so did you confirm that the brushes were contacting the slip rings on the rotor with a mirror?

Glyn M Ruck

Did you get the correct regulator. There are Two different units fitted & one won't talk to the car.

SeaCoupe

I replaced my regulator and brushes in August. I took off my alternator to do it, but I was wondering if someone with surgeon hands could do it on the car.

Are all of the contacts clean? When I took of my alt, I saw a bit of corrosion and dirt that I cleaned off. Additionally, you have to insure that you have proper belt tensions in order to get it to charge.

As others have said, I would take the alt completely out and have it tested.

Ed

SFR

I am pretty sure I got the correct regulator. They looked exactly the same.

The commutator (where the brushes attach to) seemed to be pretty worn, but clean. I simply replaced the regulator and put the alternator back in.

I decided this morning that my best option was to take it to my mechanic since I needed my car asap or else I would have just ordered a new alternator.

He told me that I ruined my alternator by replacing the regulator. I asked how I ruined it, and it sounded like he was just against repairing them, but he did take it apart since he gave me my regulator back. My #1 mechanic was unavailable, so I had to take it to my other mechanic...

Cost me $800 to replace the alternator

So much for saving money...

Thanks for the help though everyone.

Carsy

Thanks for the update . I wish everyone would do likewise.

JC

sammydragon

800 is absolute crazy

400 tops to replace an the alt ....200 part..200 labor max

SFR

The alternator costs $475 alone. If I had enough time I would have ordered one from rmeuropean.com, which is $370. Labor was around $225.

If I was able to take it to my preferred mechanic it probably would have been around $600 max. Maybe even $500 since he is willing to try to price match rmeuropean.