E30 Zone

I'm having trouble with flickering interior/dashboard lights. I'm thinking it's a bad voltage regulator, so I pulled the alternator today. The problem is I can't find any info on the model. This is the only thing I found:



I believe the BMW part number for the alternator is 12311722418, but that comes empty in ETK.

Any help appreciated to find the right regulator!

Either ask your dealer and let them find it on their ETK, or find a motor factors that stocks Valeo

Is the dealer ETK more complete? What I've heard, the Valeo unit (FRENCH!) is crap anyway, probably a wise choice would be to replace it with a Bosch one. The installation bracket should take either one, right?

Many things won't show a part no on my ETK, but will on the dealer's.
AFAIK, the mounting bracket will take any altenator.

Both my e30's have had a bosch alternator, the voltage regulator can be had from GSF for about Ԛ£14.

Iirc the dealer sells them for about Ԛ£45.

Cheers,

Iain T

it screws in from the back....... its white too if that helps....

its not like the one in the pic

I've never seen a Valeo altenator on an E30, so maybe it's been fitted as a replacement at some time, and that's why it doesn't show on the ETK.
My M50 engine has a Valeo one, though.

Thanks for the replies. I took the old regulator to a local spare parts store today. The guy disappeared behind the shelves for ten minutes and brought back a HÃÅ”aCO-brand regulator. It was otherwise similar, but the brushes were narrower. Installed it and no more light flicker.

BTW, the original regulator had a BMW logo and a production date stamp of June 1990, so I guess my Valeo is the OEM factory installation. Perhaps some of the late E30's had these f***** Valeos. If and when it acts up again, I will throw in a Bosch one.