Voltage regulator packed up

[jamjia]

Hi everyone,

Seems like my voltage regulator has packed up on the alternator. Getting high voltages coming thorough and triggering all sorts of lights on the dash. Just wondering if anyone knows the part number for the VR? My local garage has said this part is not replaceable but google and a few other sources contradicts this.

I'd love to know if anyone else has had similar problems with high voltage and what they've done to fix the issue.

Cheers,
J

 

[mmm-five]

Just go to your local Bosch Auto centre, and you'll pay much less for the same part.

However, in my experience (on 2 alternators, and 2 aborted 'Ring trips in my e34 M5) it might not be just the VR. I had a ovalised commutator ring kept knocking the brushes out and was not spotted on 3 separate 'refurbs'.

If you do get the alternator refurbed then ask them to replace the ring, bushes & VR to make sure.

 

[fixit man]

hi,

you should be able to get the V. regulator separately, although it is getting harder as vendors don't like to sell them , they want to sell the whole alternator.

Don't know the part number...but if you can get a mirror and a torch you might be able to get it straight off the back of the alternator.

99% sure it will be the regulator ...It does what is says regulates the voltage !

Edit:- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VR-B280-BOSCH-12V-ALTERNATOR-VOLTAGE-REGULATOR-F00M145280-BMW-325-525-X3-Z4-/271299134578?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f2ab04472
Good luck !

 

[jamjia]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160932998083?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Hey guys, thanks for the help! I just ordered from the link above. Hopefully that should fix it.

 

[jamjia]

My research tells me the alternator part number is 12-31-7-837-691 which seems to be right after i searched on realoem.com

 

[jamjia]

Oh FYI - my mechanic at the local garage kept telling me how it needs to be BSD or bit serial data for the VR to work... That it's different from the E46 VR as they use different ECUs... Any idea of this was just mumbo jumbo to help sell in the full alternator?

 

[jamjia]

Also quoted me 3 hours of work to replace the alternator... More fibs?

 

[fixit man]

Hi,

don't know about that personally, these days you never know whats programmed into the ecu , but I think it's bullshit...no doubt someone will correct me If I'm wrong

Did you really pay $50 shipping for the regulator ??

 

[jamjia]

Paid a little less than $50 since I can't find it anywhere else... Otherwise I'd be looking at £800 to replace the alternator with my local garage...

 

[fixit man]

3 hours seems excessive to me although I've never done one on a Z4 never mind a Z4M, but I've done lots on other cars.

You might even be able to do it in situ, done several like that and it's a 10 minute job, but I don't know how the access is for yours ...hopefully someone will be along soon who's done one on a Z4M

 

[jamjia]

Would really appreciate some guidance on how to self replace the item without going to a garage... I've read somewhere it's like a 10 minute job where you take some parts from the front off but I don't have exact instructions which would be helpful.

 

[Z4M-2006]

The ECU is different on a Z4M than an E46 M3...But i still dont know if the VR's are different..

3 hours is a little excessive...2 hours is to be expected..

Doing the VR in situ is a non starter due to the airbox..

 

[jamjia]

Anyone out there who's replaced their alternator I'd really appreciate some tips on how to gain access and what else I need to do it myself

 

[jamjia]

FYI - Had the VR replaced by a local mechanic who was happy to take the alternator out. Problem solved. Don't get done for hundreds of pounds by any mechanic that tells you the VR isn't replaceable on a Z4M.

 

[fixit man]