I'm thoroughly enjoying my "new" 142, even its quirks. One of them is the fuel and temp gauges, and the idiot lights don't work in the cold weather, but they start working one by one as the car warms up, and work fine when starting and running a warmed-up car.

Is this the sign of a poor alternator voltage regulator, a tired alternator itself, or just tired instruments? Isn't there some sore of voltage regulator in the back of the instrument panel (the one with the horizontal-stripe speedo)? Can that be replaced?

I've been meaning to check the alternator's brushes and regulator but haven't gotten around to it yet. The AMP light came on this morning during a traffic stop, and I had to rev the engine to make it go out. I didn't hear any belt squeal. Maybe it's safe to drop a new one in. Any recommended sources for a new alt.?

Vrroooom !!!
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Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 317,000 miles
Original engine, transmission, drive train, starter
Undergoing reconstructive surgery with POR-15

1972 142 S - The Yellow Brick
Weber Carb