Voltage Regulator....Where did I go wrong?

[Kansan]

I ordered a new voltage regulator (limiter) from Classic Ind for my 1973 Cuda Rallye. The part in the pic on the right is what I received and the part on the left is what is installed in the car.....I now know I can get the needed part from O'Reilly, but it's $50 bucks down the drain if I do that. I know that isn't much money, but i still wouldn't throw a $50 bill out the window, either....for what it's worth, O'Reilly web page states VRC604 part number does not fit the 1973 cuda.....Thinking the part I received might be for the standard instrument panel and the part I need might be specific to the rallye dash??

Thanks,

Kansan

 

[Vaanth]

I ordered a new voltage regulator (limiter) from Classic Ind for my 1973 Cuda Rallye. The part in the pic on the right is what I received and the part on the left is what is installed in the car.....I now know I can get the needed part from O'Reilly, but it's $50 bucks down the drain if I do that. I know that isn't much money, but i still wouldn't throw a $50 bill out the window, either....for what it's worth, O'Reilly web page states VRC604 part number does not fit the 1973 cuda.....Thinking the part I received might be for the standard instrument panel and the part I need might be specific to the rallye dash??

View attachment 155669

Thanks,

Kansan

The instrument voltage regulator, or voltage limiter, from your car is Chrysler part number 2209216 and was used in all E-bodies, both standard and Rallye clusters, 1970 - 1974, and some C-bodies 1964 - 1973, plus some prior full size models. Standard Motor Products VRC602 is/was their replacement for 2209216.

The pictured regulator marked "Introl" is an original Chrysler 2209216. Introl was the Huntsville Electronics Division of Chrysler that made the regulators and many other electrical and electronic parts. They were also part of Chrysler's involvement in NASA rocket programs in the 1960s.

What Classic sent you a replacement for Chrysler part number 2258413 (superseded to 3592899). 2258413 was used in most other car and truck lines that used the external plug-in regulator (ie. not integrated into a gauge), 1962 - 1989. Standard Motor Products VRC601 is their replacement for 2258413.

The two regulators are electrically similar for the same function, but physically mount and connect differently.

Standard Motor Products VRC604 is for Ford applications.

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[Kansan]

As always, @Vaanth is a wealth of information. I do appreciate the help! Also, @Surfcuda sent me information via text. This is why I love this site. Thanks to all!

Kansan

 

[Katfish]

What's wrong with the original?

 

[Kansan]

Low readings on fuel, water temp, etc....I was digging into the dash anyway and thought it wouldn't hurt to replace it. That's all....

Kansan

 

[Deathproofcuda]

Personally, if I was going to replace that I'd use one of these, which is fuse protected to prevent the limiter from failing and frying all of your gauges with a full 12 volts. Don't ask me how I know...

RTE limiter - rte

 

[mrmopar340]

Personally, if I was going to replace that I'd use one of these, which is fuse protected to prevent the limiter from failing and frying all of your gauges with a full 12 volts. Don't ask me how I know...

RTE limiter - rte

Yep, that's cheap insurance considering the cost of gauge replacement.

 

[MoparCarGuy]

Highly recommend the RTE electronic (solid-state) Instrument Voltage Regulator (IVR3) that Deathproofcuda suggested.