willysmjeeps.com

Hi everyone, I'm having trouble finding anyone in my local area (Louisville, KY) who will even look, much less fix, my mechanical regulator for my '51 M38. Reading other posts, I would assume this would be an easy fix/adjustment but the places I've taken it too refuse to look at it. They either don't know what it is or they are apprehensive to work on it in case there is a later problem with the charging system. I have tried the cleaning/adjustments from the manual but I want to take it to a seasoned mechanic. Seeing if anyone knows a legitimate shop I may be able to contact and ship it to? I read a post about maybe a shop Ron Fitzpatrick uses?

Also is there anywhere that still sells mechanical regulators and parts? I may want to keep one in the parts bin if I need another.

Thanks...

Paul,
I would guess about 90 % of today's auto-electric shops either have no idea what a DC mechanical voltage regulator is or no desire to learn or work on one.

With that said just google "antique vehicle electrical equipment repair" and I see one close to you in Virginia at the top of the list. When you contact them tell them you have an Autolite mechanical voltage regulator PN _________ 28 Volt 25 Amp system. Then also tell them you have complete parts list and service/overhaul instructions.

https://www.google.com/#q=antique+vehic ... ent+repair

Wes no luck with the shop in Virginia. To busy to take on new work, so the search continues. I may have to purchase and drop in a solid state unit until I can get the mechanical one fixed. I hate losing the originality but if it's all I can do. I guess I'll have to do some research on what the process is to mount the solid state regulator.

Does anyone have a good lead on the best prices for solid state regulators and a new gauge? Also still looking to see if anyone has a location that sells complete mechanical regulators or parts?

Thanks...

Several of our vendors offer overhauled units. The folks that do the overhauling have long ago secured the bulk of any spare parts to be found for these. Armed with the TM 9-1825B any auto electrician worth a salt can rebuild or repair one. The failure mode on these regulators 8 times out of 10 is simply dirty, sticking or incorrectly adjusted contacts. Parts are hard to find unless you turn the regulator over to a vendor that has an in-house or dedicated rebuilder.

The transistorized regulators also have no parts availability, rarely carry any warranty (as most electronic devices don't when they are sold to and installed by hobbyists). And even more important there are NO technical pubs available to use to overhaul or repair them. The military adopted them solely as throw away units.

They are a bolt in and go exchange. They do not use wires # 8 & 9 for the amp meter. You can dead end those wires. If you want the jeep to look stock leave the inoperative amp meter in the dash and add a small digital voltmeter in an inconspicuous location. If your jeep is a motor pool class resto or driver then replace the amp meter with any 2" voltmeter that you like . You splice the plus lead of the new voltmeter into wire spider harness # 27. Or you can buy a new 5 leg # 27 harness for an M35 series truck and use it.