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Thread: Voltage regulator test.

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
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    Default Voltage regulator test.

    Hey guys,

    do you know of a way to test the voltage regulator?

  2. #2
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    Default

    Stick a multimeter on it and see if you get a reading. Should be somewhere around 13.8v


    best, whit

  3. #3
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    Default

    Thanks for that.

    Theres no other way that they can break? (ie. causing voltage spikes, etc) ?

    The deal is the latest e34 is eating computers (if you remember that thread from before the server crash)

    Well - we took it to a local BMW only shop and talked to many others - and nobody has a single CLUE of what it could be except that they say it seems like a voltage issue. Apparently the injectors and coils are all good.

    We thought that maybe the voltage regulator could be spiking, or something like that - causing the ECUs to break. I think It's killed about 5 or 6 ecu's in total now.

    Thanks!

  4. #4
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    Default

    Quick bump - don't want to kill yet ANOTHER ecu. lol

  5. #5
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    Default I can not believe it is the regulator, your battery ...

    would act as a huge regulator, limiting significant overvoltages. Also, there are too many electronic devices in the car besides the ECU, has any one of them got fried??

    Have your shop been able to identify the ECU damage?

    In any case, you won't be able to test the regulator unless you start the engine. You can unplug the alternator and test without it, but guess you will fry the next ECU.

    Javier

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    dublin, ca
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    Default

    The cd changer is broke but it could or could not have anything to do with it. When we drove it with my trusty 735i's boat batrie it ran on an ecu for a long time so it could be acting as a huge capacitor... just some ideas.

    EDIT:
    This is the link to what the problem is related to:
    http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=12087

    I also have an e32 w/ same exact voltage regulator should I switch the regulator from the 5 and into the 7 and then have it tested or should I switch the whole alternator? I don't mind if it fry's the 7's computer because that would say exactly what the problem is and its ecu's are only 30-40 bux as appose to 200 for the m50 computers
    Last edited by pyro; 07-20-2005 at 04:40 PM.

  7. #7
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    Default

    Being that the e32 runs on different electronics, what says that the ECU will die.. or is as sensitive?

    I have heard of several cases where a bad voltage regulator has caused death to the ECU, though. I guess its sort of rare but happens to a handful of people.

    Basically - at this point there is nothing that is not suspect.

  8. #8
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    Oct 2004
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    Well, voltage regulators are cheap so it makes sense to replace it. I think the more likely explanation is a frayed wire somewhere in the engine harness that's shorting out and causing damage. Have any of the destroyed ECUs been diagnosed?

    E32 735i has practically the same electronics as an E34 535i; same goes with the 740/540. There are some more goodies in the E32, but nothing that seriously differentiates the electrical systems.

    best, whit

  9. #9
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    Mar 2005
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    Well i riped the alternator out and brought it down to kregan and they tested it and the voltage regulator and no problems there so there is something elts eating the ecu's

  10. #10
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    Default

    Figured it out see other post "m50 won't start"

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