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Re: [T3] Voltage Regulator


On 20 Jun 2005 at 12:22, Iturzaeta , Joseph wrote:

> How exactly does a voltage regulator work? I replaced mine over the
> weekend. I took the cover off the old one and it looked fine. It looks
> like a couple of electro magnets that operate a couple of switches. My
> car runs better now that I replaced it, so is there a way to fix my old
> one so if the new one some how burns out I can have a spare? Is there a
> way to check it off the car or does it have to be hooked up in order to
> check it?

In my experience, I've found that the large wire-wound resistor that's 
underneath is always open when these fail. I believe that the resistor fails 
first, then the relay contacts arc and this changes the calibration. I used to 
play with them, but finally gave up because I was unable to ever get them to be 
reliable again.

If you want to check that resistor you will need to open up the VR and put some 
paper between 2 of the relay contacts. Then you should measure the resistor. It 
should measure about 4 Ohms, but it will probably be infinite.

-- 
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711-3054
USA

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