W124 alternator regulator.

[3ColliesMercandRangie]

My wife's 230TE flattened its battery yesterday. She just managed to limp home. Problem was easily traced with my clamp meter to a non-charging alternator. A quick look through these boards (thank you!) led me to take out and inspect the regulator from the back of the alternator.

Brushes were OK, however being of an inquisitive nature I drilled out the rivets and removed the plastic cover. Inside are around 12 tiny surface mount components plus a silicon voltage regulator chip all mounted on a printed circuit board.

The whole thing had obviously been very hot as the soldered connections to most of the components had melted and the chip was actually loose.
I resoldered what I could get at and refitted it to the car. It actually worked for an hour or so but has now packed in again. No worries though, I've another on its way via ebay.

My question is (at last! I hear you cry) why did it get hot in the first place?

Is there anything else I should be checking before I cook the new regulator?

These boards are brilliant, by the way. I've been able to find answers to most of my problems in about 10 minutes. Must have saved me loads!
Thanks to all who contribute.

Bob

 

[television]

There is nothing that can damage the new regulator, when one components goes down the rest of it can self destruct, the car runs, so no fault there.

Screw it on and drive away into the sunset, and they all lived happy ever after.

Malcolm

 

[3ColliesMercandRangie]

Thanks Malcolm, I thought that would be the case but I just wanted a bit of reassurance.

Bob

 

[3ColliesMercandRangie]

Hi again,

in case anyone else need a regulator for their alternator I got mine for £8.80 from eBay member jcrsupplies.

He has loads of similar items in his eBay shop

Excellent service, a phone call identified the item I wanted from a guy who knew what he was talkng about, and it arrived the following morning.

I have no connection with this company other than as a very happy customer.

Bob