is there anything special about swaping out a voltage regulator in a 72 cutlass supreme. do i need to disconnect the battery and then just swap it out fot the new one?


oldman72

 

You got it.

 

I believe the regulator is within the alternator in 1972??

 

No, it is still external and mounted on the firewall. At least my 72 is.

 

thanks for the info but before i buy a new voltage regulator. this is why i think its the problem. the lights, radio and fan kind of dim once in a while. they dont shut off just kind of go soft. its not all the time, just on occasion. the battery and alternator are both new.

oldman 72

 

Try checking all your connections and grounds. Unplug the regulator and plug it back in. Make sure all your connections are clean and tight. It could be regulator but I don't really think so. Is the alternator new or rebuilt? Just because it is rebuilt doesn't mean it is good. Of course if you replaced it and it did not fix the problem, it is probably okay. Good luck.

 

If all else is good in your electrical system, a new regulator is one more potential problem eliminated. The new ones are electronic and are supposed to be more reliable. I put new ones in both of my vintage vehicles and solved a bunch of problems, including the headlights brightening and dimming with engine rpm's. A bit costly ( around $80) but worth it in my opinion.

Chumley