Voltage regulator location

What kind of problem are you trying to solve? If your vehicle uses a GM generator, the voltage regulator is built into it, and is almost impossible to replace separately. You will damage the diode block when trying to unsolder the thin tabs. Once you get the housing apart, there is no way to test the regulator, and you don't want to go through all this work again, so you'll want to replace anything that can cause a problem. In this case that includes the brushes, the diode block, and the bearings. All of these are available as a complete kit, but given the time and frustration involved, buying a professionally-rebuilt unit with a warranty is a much better value.

Due to this design that was first used in 1987, these generators develop huge voltage spikes that can damage the regulator and the diodes, as well as interfere with computer sensor signals. The battery is the main component that dampens and absorbs those harmful spikes, but as they age and the lead flakes off the plates, they lose their ability to do that. If you need to replace the generator on any 1987 or newer GM vehicle, always replace the battery at the same time to prevent numerous repeat failures, unless it is less than about two years old.