Replacing Voltage Regulator on Alternator

TheirThere · 07-11-2019, 03:50 PM

Does the alternator need to be removed from the car to replace the voltage regulator?

Long ago, I did this same repair on my e60 m5 and didn't need to pull the alternator, but it was a massive PITA.

weehe126 · 07-11-2019, 11:37 PM

Alternator replacement isn't that bad. So even if you have to fully remove it, you are looking at 2 hours of work.

redblackbmw · 07-12-2019, 06:15 PM

i need to replace mines on my alternator too,

how do you know if its a 150a 180 amperage?

i have e90 07328

which regulator to get?

TheirThere · 07-17-2019, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redblackbmw

i need to replace mine on my alternator too,
how do you know if its a 150a 180 amperage?
i have e90 07328
which regulator to get?

This is the one I ordered and plan on replacing tomorrow morning.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ch-12317561939

part number: F00M346088

Ricthewrench · 07-18-2019, 05:36 AM

Swapped mine last night, took 20 minutes. 09 328xi. No sweat job. R

Ricthewrench · 07-19-2019, 07:21 AM

Fired er up, all good, no battery on the dash now! On to other issues.... R

TheirThere · 07-22-2019, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricthewrench

Swapped mine last night, took 20 minutes. 09 328xi. No sweat job. R

how did you get the alternator out?

i'm dealing with a 2011 n55.

Ricthewrench · 07-23-2019, 01:01 PM

No turbo on n52. 20minutes, air box off, 4 e12 aluminum bolts, belt off, it's out. Add turbos, I'm a dummy. R

weehe126 · 07-23-2019, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheirThere

how did you get the alternator out?

i'm dealing with a 2011 n55.

You have to remove the AC bracket that is in the way. A bit of a pain but not hard.

Ozzie335i · 07-23-2019, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricthewrench

Swapped mine last night, took 20 minutes. 09 328xi. No sweat job. R

Yet another example of NA superiority.

TheirThere · 07-24-2019, 10:12 AM

Well, if anyone needs a voltage regulator let me know.

I purchased this one and it appears to be the wrong part.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ch-12317561939

Edit - turns out I have a Denson alternator installed and the part i purchased is for a bosch

Wolf 335 · 07-24-2019, 10:57 AM

Is the voltage regulator usually the part that fails when alternators fail, or is it internals?

TheirThere · 08-08-2019, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Is the voltage regulator usually the part that fails when alternators fail, or is it internals?

Watch this:

The guy explains how to test a lot if not all functions of an alternator. The regulator is covered between 7:40 ~ 10:00.

I ended up having a local BMW shop replace my alternator and it was ~$700 (labor only). Live-and-learn, I didn't think to ask what they were going to charge to replace it or I would have done it myself.

lordnikon · 08-09-2023, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricthewrench

No turbo on n52. 20minutes, air box off, 4 e12 aluminum bolts, belt off, it's out. Add turbos, I'm a dummy. R

So basically the alternator has to be removed just to change the regulator? I remember there isn't much space behind the cover of the alternator as there's a pipe that's blocking the way. N52 engine

07-11-2019, 03:50 PM	#1
TheirThere 867-5309 76 Rep 308 Posts Drives: F80 M3 ZCP and E36 328i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: 30.2672° N, 97.7431° W iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [0.00]	Replacing Voltage Regulator on Alternator Does the alternator need to be removed from the car to replace the voltage regulator? Long ago, I did this same repair on my e60 m5 and didn't need to pull the alternator, but it was a massive PITA.
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07-11-2019, 11:37 PM	#2
weehe126 Brigadier General 1161 Rep 3,189 Posts Drives: 2017 340i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2)	Alternator replacement isn't that bad. So even if you have to fully remove it, you are looking at 2 hours of work.
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07-12-2019, 06:15 PM	#3
redblackbmw Private 4 Rep 58 Posts Drives: red/black 328i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: miami beach iTrader: (0)	i need to replace mines on my alternator too, how do you know if its a 150a 180 amperage? i have e90 07328 which regulator to get?
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07-18-2019, 05:36 AM	#5
Ricthewrench Enlisted Member 18 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2009 328i xdrive Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Ortonville MI iTrader: (0)	Swapped mine last night, took 20 minutes. 09 328xi. No sweat job. R
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07-19-2019, 07:21 AM	#6
Ricthewrench Enlisted Member 18 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2009 328i xdrive Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Ortonville MI iTrader: (0)	Fired er up, all good, no battery on the dash now! On to other issues.... R
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07-23-2019, 01:01 PM	#8
Ricthewrench Enlisted Member 18 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2009 328i xdrive Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Ortonville MI iTrader: (0)	No turbo on n52. 20minutes, air box off, 4 e12 aluminum bolts, belt off, it's out. Add turbos, I'm a dummy. R
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07-24-2019, 10:12 AM	#11
TheirThere 867-5309 76 Rep 308 Posts Drives: F80 M3 ZCP and E36 328i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: 30.2672° N, 97.7431° W iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [0.00]	Well, if anyone needs a voltage regulator let me know. I purchased this one and it appears to be the wrong part. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ch-12317561939 Edit - turns out I have a Denson alternator installed and the part i purchased is for a bosch Last edited by TheirThere; 07-24-2019 at 10:48 AM..
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07-24-2019, 10:57 AM	#12
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2341 Rep 3,539 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA - Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	Is the voltage regulator usually the part that fails when alternators fail, or is it internals?
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