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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: 1980sdga on 01 April 2011, 07:25 PM

Title: Headlights dim...
Post by: 1980sdga on 01 April 2011, 07:25 PM
I took the car to work this AM and it involved a couple of hours of early morning driving through the darkness.

It was awesome!

Anyway...  I noticed the headlights getting dimmer and brighter as I was driving at a constant speed. Engine RPM didn't seem to affect it and the alternator seems to be charging OK because it started fine this afternoon.  It was actually pretty subtle.

Any ideas?  Ground?  Contact at the voltage regulator?  Anyone else had this issue?
Title: Re: Headlights dim...
Post by: Big_Richard on 01 April 2011, 08:29 PM
constantly fluctuating running voltage will be the alternator regulator.
Title: Re: Headlights dim...
Post by: jbrasile on 02 April 2011, 03:30 PM
1980sdga,

Yep, voltage regulator is going bad. They are pretty easy to replace right behind the alternator.

MB P/n is 002 154 58 06 if you have alternator 004 154 18 02 or 002 154 72 06 if you have alternator 005 154 74 02 or 005 154 98 02. Bosch makes both the alternator and regulator

Tks,

Joe
Title: Re: Headlights dim...
Post by: 1980sdga on 02 April 2011, 06:46 PM
Thanks guys!  I actually found a tutorial on youtube outlining R&R of the regulator.  Pretty informative vids!