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My original equipment manufactured alternator in my 528i was built by Valeo.
It took me a while to find a USA wholesaler that provides Valeo voltage regulators.
Whether you have a Valeo or Bosch or ? ... what I would do is find your OEM alternator's mfg. Now identify the distributor in the UK that can sell you a regulator for cheap.
Hi Scott, my alternator is Valeo, part number 12318510092 and the only company I could find who supply valeo regulators were out of stock, They offered an alternative make for £47.06 GBP. I don't feel I want to fit a spurious make that I never heard of, however I might have to eventually. the car has been off the road now for about 10 days now and we are using my wife's and she's not happy about it. My car is sitting outside with the front up on stands and its snowing, i hope the snow goes quickly so I can get some work done.
Hi Scott, contacted your friend and he gave me a few contacts but all in USA cheapest was pelican but with postage, import duty and our 20%vat it worked out at £159.00 and I can get one from the BMW dealer for £113.00 so not worth going down that road. I'm going to try the irish republic to see what they can do. I will keep you posted. thanks Paneuro
Here's the crazy part about the Valeo voltage regulator.
When I was shopping for one recently, I found a USA distributor that would sell it to me for $22.
That told me their cost was circa $14.
That means the fabrication cost were circa $6.
Its a cheap part.
You need to find a Scottish distributor that provides BMW parts to local Scottish independent auto shops. They are out there and it will take some work to uncover the best one. Make yourself look like a local auto shop that is working on cars so they sell you parts.
The funny part is all of us DIY'ers are auto shop owners, but only have one main customer (its ourselves and the perpetual work our BMW's require). If you want to own one of these cars you better have your own auto shop (its called your garage).
Hi Scott, I've did some research and found what seems to be the correct voltage regulator in Ireland. the number is VAL599101. How does that compare with the number you got for your car? It retails at £43.00 with free delivery to Scotland. that seems to be the best I can find at the moment. Regards Paneuro
If you found one for 43 pounds your doing well. Good job.
Here's the answer to your question:The important number on the alternator cover to obtain the new voltage regulator is TG17c 015. This is the number I gave to Wagner Alternator and they quoted me $23
My Valeo voltage regulator has a part number on the back of the voltage regulator. That number is 2542604.
Hi Scott, Thanks for the pics, I think your regulator is slightly different from mine as it seems to be 180 amp whereas mines is 170 amp hence the slight difference in the numbers. Yours is 599102 and the number i'm being quoted is 599101. i'm meaning to take the alternator of later today,once i get it of I can see the numbers and let you know, regards Paneuro
Hi, when I took the alternator off 2 of the idle pulleys were showing wear iN the bearings so I have ordered new ones, one of them will have to come from Germany so i will have to wait a few days to get it. I have the new regulator but can't rebuild until I get the pulleys. I will post the outcome when I get it back together.
Thanks Paneuro.
02-10-2020, 08:18 AM
