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Replacing the regulator at the alternator of a Golf I (Rabbit)
Our Golf has a problem, the control light of the alternator is on
and the voltmeter shows that the alternator is not charging the battery
Thus we are going to replace the regulator
For a better access we will dismount the alternator
The alternator is located at the lower right side in the front of the engine
Allways disconnect the battery when you are working on the electric
Unplug the alternator
The drive belt can be reused, mark the direction
Loosen the upper pivot bolt
Remove the lower bolt and release the tension of the belt
Remove the drive belt
Remove the nut from the upper pivot bolt
Remove the pivot bolt and take off the alternator
This was quite easy compared with the same work at some modern cars
The regulator is located at the back side of the alternator
It can be replaced at an installed alternator, too. But now we have better access for cleaning
The regulator is fixed by two bolts. Use a fitting screw driver
Press the regulator on the alternator while removing the bolts
Take the regulator out by moving a little sideward and then upward
Clean the collector rings
You see the success!
Clean this contact and bend it a little upwards
The new and the old regulator
Insert the regulator carefully and press it on the alternator
Take care that the holes are aligned
Insert the bolts
and fasten them with care
Clean the electrical contacts
Put back the alternator and insert the pivot bolt
Insert the lower bolt and put back the nut
Loop the belt first over the crankshaft pulley
then on the upper part of the alternator pulley and crank the engine a little to lift the belt over the pulley
Use a pry bar to tension the belt and fasten the lower nut
Check the tension
and fasten the nut with 20 Nm
Fasten the upper pivot bolt
Plug in the cable and fix it with the clip
Reconnect the battery
For a test of the alternator we connect a voltmeter
At low consumption we have some 14 V
which reduces to 13.5 V when switching on the lights and window heating
At low consumption the alternator delivers 11 A
which increases to 30 A when switching on some consumers
Using an oszilloscope we have a final check
We see a perfect DC voltage, all is fine!
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