Oily wrote:
>
> "JD" <jjd@spamlesstpgi.com.au> wrote in message
> news:453736ac@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
>> EMB wrote:
>>
>> > JD wrote:
>> >> EMB wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> JD wrote:
>> >>>> EMB wrote:
>> >>>>> When those horrid Lucas regulators fail I replace them with a solid
>> >>>>> state regulator - 100% reliable thereafter.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>>
>> >>>> Quite - but the one in my 2a is the original, and is doing quite
>> >>>> well at 36 years, so it is a bit hard to see how a solid state one
>> >>>> would improve significantly on this.
>> >>> Same with my Dad's 1961 IIa - original regulator still going strong.
>> >>> But I've replaced a few on clients' vehicles (mostly ones that see a
> lot
>> >>> of water).
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >> 1961? I didn't think they were fitted until about 1967.
>> >
>> > There's one in there - I was just assuming it was original as it's been
>> > there ever since the first time I got into the dashboard.
>> >
>> They came with the temperature gauge and the changed fuel gauge, I think
> at
>> the same time as negative earth, around 1967. But of course the later
>> instrument cluster (or even just the fuel gauge and sender) could have
> been
>> fitted and this would require the regulator.
>> JD
> The clocks must have been changed then because the old clocks didn't even
> have a temp. gauge fitted in '61, main beam light, fuel gauge and ammeter
> up until '67 as you say unless the later ones were fitted for export, but
> I doubt it. BTW does the regulator have an earth connection in the case?,
> I've never had one apart to look, they are usually so reliable that if
> I've had a faulty one I've replaced it with a second hand one, never had
> to buy a new one. I've never seen a solid state one either.
>
> Martin
The case IS the earth connection. I suspect most cases of faulty regulators,
"confirmed" by replacing them, are simply a case of poor connections,
usually the earth, that a lot of people think is just the mounting bolt.
Normally they are on the speedo on the S3 and the firewall on the S2a.
JD