URG: need help for my major project

[dug]

hi... my major project doesnt work..
its a gear change indicator
i followed the silicon chip magazine...
i checked the output of the REG which is onli .7V and i checked the input its about 3.9V.. i checked wif the magazine it said it should have a out put of 4.8V, what went wrong?.. well b4 the REG theres a 100ohms resistor which splits the 12V input, one to the the REG and the other that doesnt go through the resistor. i tested the voltage level b4 the resistor which was 12.1 and the voltage after the resistor which is 3.9V so i assumed the current went the otha way.
the other way leads to a 12V light bulb.. which i change it to a super bright LED and i placed a 400 ohms resistor before the negative leg is that right? or can i do that??

another fing is there a difference between non polarised electrolytic capacitor and bi-polar electrolytic capacitor??

any help much appreciated!
dug

 

[zachtheterrible]

If you could post a schematic of your circuit, that would be extremely helpful