A question for anyone living in France...

[mat_the_cat]

...where might be the best place to pick up a Bosch voltage regulator for an alternator? The brushes are worn on the one on the van, and I don't have a soldering iron with me so was thinking of replacing the whole unit. For now I'm hoping that stretching the spring and cleaning up the slip ring will give me a bit more life.

 

Is somewhere like a leclerk drive likely to sell one? Or is there a nationwide chain of factors I can Google? (Currently in the Loire valley heading south west). On a mobile on an expensive data connection so would like to avoid hours of searching if possible! Also trying to minimise disruption to the holiday hence avoiding driving round to a load of places...

[DSdriver]

It might be easier to buy a 12 volt soldering iron in Les Halfraudes

[Ratdat]

Are you anywhere near Pouzauges? My mate lives not far from there and will have a soldering iron.

[Richard]

Can you change brushes on these? I thought the brush/regulator pack was a sealed unit.

[mat_the_cat]

 

This is what I have - brushes are removable with soldering. Later Bosch with plastic cover need drilling out IIRC. Good point about buying soldering iron!

 

Not a million miles from Pouzgauges, so may send you a pm if a plan B is needed, cheers Ed.

[Ratdat]

Ok, my mate is just near Montournais. He has tools etc and knows the local area ok if you do get stuck. I'll pm you my mobile number so you can just text me if you need to.

[wuvvum]

The only chain of factors that I know of in France is Feu Vert.  Don't know how good they are at selling component bits though.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Gotta be honest i wouldn't fancy trying to get one of those in a hurry in France, they don't have owt like Euro Car Parts over there so you'd probably end up at a trade factors who will have to order it in for next week or something ridiculous. There's one national chain called 'France Auto Pieces' that might be worth a call.

[Des]

If you refit that with just the one screw, on the earth tag end, with it pushed up closer to the commutator, you'll get loads more miles from it, and elongating the holes would be icing on the cake.

[dave21478]

As Bollox says, you are kindof screwed if you need that in a hurry.

 

Leclerc Auto is the closest we have to Halfords, but its basically just filters and brake pads they carry in stock.

 

France Auto Pieces, Auto Distribution and Flauraud are the widest spread auto factors, but whether they are near you I dont know.

 

Online, you might find it on www.oscaro.com or www.piecesauto.com

 

Might be worth checking out a breakers yard for a used one? Search "casse auto" to find them.

[mat_the_cat]

Thanks for that guys. I did move the unit over as far as the holes would allow so got an extra mm or so but didn't think of elongating the holes That said, it is charging now so hopefully will do for a while.

 

Bit pissed off that a 'brand new' alternator would look like that after less than 21k miles though - ironically changed for reliability!

[mat_the_cat]

300 miles later it seems to be ok, so maybe replacement can wait until we get back. Panic over (he says hopefully).

[catsinthewelder]

I've just had a look on here http://www.woodauto.com/vehicle.aspx to see if the brushes on your LT are the same as my T2 and they're not which is a shame as I've got 10 pairs here.

 

Postage is a bit mental so it might be worth a few of us making up an order when you get back.

[twosmoke300]

I feel your pain , I was stuck in a foreign land (wales) when dodgy german component's let me down.

[dome]

These guys were great when i needed bits for the Jags alternator, dunno if they post to france though.

http://www.jcrsupplies.co.uk

[Richard]

I got the brush pack for my Volvo from this seller http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Vehicle-Electrics/ALTERNATOR-DYNAMO-REGULATOR-/_i.html?_nkw=bosch&submit=Search&_fsub=101746419&_sid=213073759 , it looked well made, was cheap and the listing was very clear about what it would fit.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I bought a regulator for my Seat from Euro Car Parts, predictably it was the wrong one so I took it back and they were stymied.