Can someone please help with instructions on removing / replacing the voltage regulator? Can this be done with the alternator left in the engine bay or does it need to come out?
I can speak from a 6.9 perspective, and that engine is huge, so if it has space to do it with alternator in situ then I assume it can be done for all models. Pretty simple. Remove the 2 screws holding it in place, then you have to rotate it slightly as you remove it. For install you also have to angle/rotate it into place, be careful not to damage the brushes. One of the easier jobs for sure.
Here uncle Kent shows us the way ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYvZRz5Truo
If you have the 280se in your bio it's SUPER EASY.
-jack up the car,
-slid under,
-easy access 2 screws and disconnect the wiring.
-5 min job done.
I cleaned up all the associated wiring and earth strap connections in the area while I was at it.
Neil.
Dan, thanks for the link, I had it too but old uncle Kent is also selling an instructions manual to come with it which made me wonder if it's a bit more complicated than I initially thought - why sell a manual for a 5min job but I guess we all know the answer to that. Thought it's best to check here before trying stuff on my own, I wasn't aware that you have to twist it slightly as you pull out and put back in for example.
Neil, thanks a lot, it is indeed the 280SE, I'll be trying your instructions today!
I can't find the regulator, am I just being thick here? There's limited visibility from beneath and from the engine bay I stand no chance to see or feel underneath the alternator.
If you look in my car thread in "test drive" "new member and first Benz" I added a load of pics of the process.
((If you climb under the RHS of the engine bay, look up at the alternator, there will be a black plastic part clipped in with wires coming from it. That's the voltage regulator))
Neil.
There were two different versions used on the 280se, but both were essentially the same in general looks, and both were located on the back of the alternator. Though, I have seen some Australian cars that had off brand alternators installed that required the mounting of an external regulator somewhere in the engine bay. Apparently, this was a cheap alternative to having to buy the correct part. The picture below shows where it should be located.....provided you still have a Bosch alternator on your engine. It's the white device with the black center that is screwed to the back of the alternator.
Got it now, thanks! One of the screws is stuck in so I need to come up with a solution to get that unstuck at a pretty weird angle but I'm getting there! Thanks everyone for your help.