Where Is My Voltage Regulator Located?

[agtur2001]

First thing... I have learned SOOO much about my BMW in the last few days since I joined this forum! Thanks for all the great reading!!! Now, back to my problem. From the responses I received from my first question, I believe I have a bad Voltage Regulator. I know what it looks like thanks to Online BMW Parts... but I can not locate it! My chilton manual does not show it either. Help!

[bitcore]

Is it not built into the alternator?

[agtur2001]

Originally posted by bitcore@Dec 8 2004, 07:20 PM
Is it not built into the alternator?

[snapback]246184[/snapback]

Here is the part...

http://www.autopartsworld.com/1993_bmw_318...ator_parts.html

Just can't figure out where it goes! should I pull out the alternator and see? Or does anyone know for sure?

[abemcclellan]

it should mount to the backside of the alternator

[bitcore]

yah, it's most likely attatched to the alternator where you can't see it or somewhere really really close to it. It appears that it just plugs in somewhere.

[agtur2001]

Thanks... I'm pretty sure from the great feed back that it's on the freakin Alternator... no wonder it's NOT in the Chilton Manual.

Last question. Since the Regulator runs for about 80.00 bucks and a rebuilt Bosch Alternator runs for about 250.00 AND my 318 has 189k with the original alternator...

Should I just replace the entire alternator instead since a new regulator comes built in anyway... how long to alternators tipically last anyway?