Morris Minor Owners Club

My voltage regulator has just been replaced as one of the terminal connections on the old one had snapped. The traveller is now running well except the ignition light stays on constantly. The charging system was fine prior to changing the regulator - fan belt checked, new battery fitted - and the ignition light went out as usual soon after start up.

I noticed that one of the contacts on the old regulator looks different to that on the new one. Previously the contacts were almost touching and now there is quite a big gap between them - could this be the cause of the problem and is there a way to fix this? Photos of the old regulator below show the contact in question:[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

I think the regulators are adjustable Louise but I can't advise as to how you go about it! Maybe it's worth considering a repair of the snapped terminal connection on the original, even if just on a temporary basis, to prove if the replacement is faulty.

prob faulty goods
i had to go through 2 recon front dampers till i found one that did not leak

les wrote: Maybe it's worth considering a repair of the snapped terminal connection on the original, even if just on a temporary basis, to prove if the replacement is faulty.

Tried this Les (with solder) and the original worked but I didn't want to risk it as a long term repair. Thought about getting a s/hand regulator but thought that the chances of a new one working well might be a bit better I know that the regulators are adjustable but the manual doesn't give details of how to adjust this particular contact so thought I'd ask here before I return it as faulty

Google Lucas training manual

i have just looked at a new old stock one and there is a gap on this one

will check on my car in a moment

checked on my car and there is a gap but quite small

just googled that manual looks good and lots of info

You wouldn't want the gap any less than that -with engine running - press it closed by hand - does the light go out? And is it charging - test the volts (13.8/14) with that meter you bought...I hope. But most importantly - when you switch off - make sure the contacts immediately open again! If they don't - pull them open by hand - or disconnect the battery..... Is the battery connected same polarity as before?

Thanks all. I'll try closing the gap by hand to see if it makes any difference. The battery is connected the same way (positive earth) and the ignition light goes off when the ignition is switched off. The ammeter was showing slightly above zero and the ignition light faded a little at high revs but didn't go out.

And if the headlights are on -does the ammeter still show slight +ve ..or at least not a -ve ??

Seems the cut out is improperly adjusted. Section N.9 in the workshop manual (down where it says cut-out) explains how to adjust.
If you could get the seller to replace the regulator with a properly adjusted one you could try that first, but if you read the instructions through a couple of times it shouldn't be too hard to get both your regulators working perfectly.

Hi Louise I had the same problem on my Traveller(incidentley the same colour as yours, is it Maroon B?) I just changed the regulator, not an expensive item as the original one was 40+years old and the adjustment process is a bit tricky £19 +vat and postage for a new item and job done.

Is this not a 'new' one already??

Yes, the points problem is with the new one. Here's how big the gap is:[frame][/frame]

The shape of the contact arm is completely different to the original. Rather than mess about with it I'm sending it back for a replacement and I've put the repaired original one back in for now.