i need to change my voltage regulator

[skrewcop]

HI, i have read most of the threads about alternators but i still don't understand. (Not that mechanically inclined). I have to change the voltage regulator on my alternator and i was wondering if anyone can provide me with a video DiY or something like that as right now i am really tight on money and can't afford taking it to the shop . Or if someone could give me a list with all the tools i need it would be greatly appreciated. Also, do i need to remove the belt when i remove the alternator/? As i said i am not that mechanically inclined. Thank you in advance
The vehicle is a 2005 BMW E53 Xdrive 4.4i Automatic

[jdstrickland]

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0i ALTERNATOR PARTS 90A Valeo



This may not be the correct alternator so you should follow the link and back up a page or two to see what the options are. No matter which alternator you have, all of them have Item 2 as the voltage regulator. The regulators may or may not be the same, but you can do a little bit of research to figure this out. The link is also the parts for the I6 engine, so you will need to change the vehicle information, then go back to the engine electrics page to figure out the alternator that you have, and the VR that you need.

Once you find the VR that you need, then you can shop for best price from online sources, or the auto parts store down the street from your house.

[jdstrickland]

There are two Valeo alternators and a Bosch (for the 3.0L engine). The Valeos both take the same voltage regulator, and the Bosch takes a different one.

[skrewcop]

Thank you for your replies. I found the right part thanks to jdrstrickland.
@trader 4 i tried google too but i guess i missed this video lol thanks it is a HUGE help but i have one more question though: does the 2005 4.4i model have a water cooled alternator or air cooled? Thank you very much

[jdstrickland]

That's the kind of question that tells me that you should not be making repairs to your car. The fundamental difference in an air cooled vs. water cooled engine is so obvious that the question suggests that your next question will be about which end of the screwdriver is used to turn the screw.

[jdstrickland]

The question has become, why do you think you need to replace the voltage regulator?

[upallnight]

Before tearing into the alternator, remove the battery cables. You don't want to short circuit the battery and weld a tool to the frame.

[squidzilla]

Since you are newer to wrenching on things I would go very slow on doing this. Create a favorites list of all relevant threads in your browser. Print them off if you need to. You also want to create a list of relevant videos on your watch later list on your you tube account. You might end up going slow as hell but at least if makes it pretty much fool proof. Not saying you are a fool, but I treat myself as one and plan accordingly when doing my own DIY. Especially since I am new to it as well.

[e30cabrio]

I got a rebuilt Bosch on eBay for 250 over a year ago, going strong.

[David.X5]

I don't know why people are giving you a hard time. Its a pretty big job for a first time DIY, and shorting out the battery cables (for example) can do really bad things to you and the engine electronics.

How did you get to decide you need a new voltage regulator? If you describe the symptoms, folks might be able to help you diagnose it if that wasn't done professionally. In the US, many local auto parts stores will also test alternators for free if you carry it in, with the hope of selling you something...

Try to find the Bentley manual for your car if you can - some libraries might have it if you don't want to buy one now.

In the future, include the build date (month/year) and engine size. I see you wrote it is a 2005 4.4L, so I looked up the parts for you to start:

Part numbers are the same for January 2005 to December 2005:
air-cooled alternator, 170Amp output
voltage regulator (OEM is Valeo brand, rated to 180A): 12318510090
alternator: 12317540994

Here is one example of where to buy the whole alternator - not much more expensive than the voltage regulator:

180 AMP VALEO ALTERNATOR FOR 2005 2006 BMW X5 4.4L AND 2004 2005 2006 BMW X5 4.8L (TG17C027, TG17C027B) - VALEO REBUILT ALTERNATOR