"alternator Workshop" Error. Noisy At Idle?

[mumble_bee]

hey galaxyowner,

 

for the mark 1 2.3, the auto tensioner was only available from the stealers for

[adrianf.]

Well i just had my alternator pulley changrd today as i was having the normal probs you get with these things.

 

[littledaz]

;)

[KP 115]

Just to say thanks Littledaz I've also had this problem for a number of months without realising what it was, I've just ordered the parts & tools to do the job,

if anyone needs to borrow the

spline drive I'm in suffolk/cambs area

 

keith.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Hello again folks (esp. Littledaz) ... sorry I've been away for a while.

 

As Littledaz predicted, my alternator problem has returned again with a vengeance after I changed the belt and tensioner. It has been clattering away for 2 or 3 weeks now and the belt is making strange noises again. I phoned the Fraud dealer up to ask how much to change the alternator pulley and they didn't know what I was talking about (surprise surprise). Anyway, the wife got in the car today and the damn thing failed to start. Sounds like a flat battery probably down to the knackered alternator (I hope). I shall have to get back on to the Fraud dealer tomorrow to get the thing booked in and sorted out. When I get home from work tonight I am going to put my feet right through that stupid VW Galaxy... it's one of the the worst vehicles I have ever bought. To top it off the service indicator is screaming "service now" at me and I've just had to shell out for a new remote keyfob and

[adrianf.]

Yup had my pulley changed a few weeks ago and been fine ever since.

Like you Ford hadnt a clue wot i was on about.

Reseting the service light is simple, there should be a post on here on how to do it.

Cant really blame the tyres on the Gal.

Had mine 15 months and one of the best cars ive had.

Maybe ive been very lucky.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Ok folks, quick update:

 

Finally managed to get a price for the pulley from Fraud Dealer:

[adrianf.]

Not sure if they are all the same but on mine i can get a spanner (think it was 17mm or 19mm) on the bit that sticks up on top of the tensioner nd pulling it towards you will release the tension.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Thanks Adrian,

 

I'll give it a try... i think it could be hard work as the garage man who put the tensioner on said it's spring strength was unbelievable. So we'll see.

 

Thanks again.

[tim-spam]

16mm open ended spanner will do the trick.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Good news, I managed to fit the new alternator pulley today myself. Very easy job but the spline nut was mega tight! Nearly broke my arm trying to get it undone.

Unfortunately I can't test the thing because the bl**dy car won't start (yet another problem with this crap vehicle).

 

Thanks ever so much people, especially Littledaz for diagnosing the problem in the first place. I wish dealers were as knowledgeable.

 

Happy Easter folks! :16:

[adrianf.]

You really dont have much luck with that car do you.

I know it doesnt help you but I have the same model and year as you and not a mins trouble (touch wood)

I had the pulley changed a few weeks ago and yesterday i changed the tensioner myself and could not believe how easy it was to do.

Ford wanted 1 hours labour to do it, so done it myself and had the job done in 15 mins so goes to prove they are robbing gits.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Good man... it's definitely the easiest way to get things done around here. By the time you've convinced the dealers what the problem is and told them about the parts you need replaced you could have done the job yourself. Now my crap car has an oil leak... just another problem to add to the huge list of endless faults. Bah... humbug!

[Guest Jambo25]

BTW, not that proof is needed, here are the required components.

 

Littlediaz I have the same problem as jackthehat.co.uk. Bought the spline tool from VW and also the clutch pully and have a problem when trying to undo the pulley as it keeps turning as I try to undo it and need advice from anyone on this post on how to undo the pulley while the alternator is still attched to the car and the drive belt?

 

Any help would be appriciated as I can't seem to get the dam thing off and have practically given up? ;)

Edited April 19, 2007 by Jambo25

[tim-spam]

The splined tool for the pulley has a hole in it through which a much smaller diameter splined key can pass - this is normally supplied with the splined tool. This engages in the alternator shaft and is used to counterhold it when loosening the pulley.

[Guest Jambo25]

Gentlemen,

 

Managed to get the right tools and changed the pulley, tentioner and aux belt with new parts, car is like it just came out of the showroom and is pleasurable to drive once again with no more steering juddering, noisy fan belt and tentioner. Also had the MAF changed to a new one and the car pulls like a speed boat.

 

So I'd like to say thank you to all people who posted their comments and help with their own issues but more so a big thank you to Littlediaz for showing us the way.

 

PS WeeW parts are sooo much cheaper that frauds!!! Frauds wanted me to change the entire alternator and claimed I could not change the pulley??? This forum saved me bucks he heh :D

 

 

BTW, not that proof is needed, here are the required components.

 

Littlediaz I have the same problem as jackthehat.co.uk. Bought the spline tool from VW and also the clutch pully and have a problem when trying to undo the pulley as it keeps turning as I try to undo it and need advice from anyone on this post on how to undo the pulley while the alternator is still attched to the car and the drive belt?

 

Any help would be appriciated as I can't seem to get the dam thing off and have practically given up? :2:

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Well done Jambo,

 

I changed my pulley then my car was written off a fortnight later. Hope your car fairs better my friend!

[elize]

Hi

Driving in my 1.9tdi 99V ghia gal on round trip of about 14 miles. Could hear faint noise like birds tweeting coming from engine area. Noise got gradually louder and by time got home was louder, more freequent with a metalic clunking sound. Seems if I drive it much more something is going to go.

Lifted bonnet noise seems to come from alternator area. Released the belt (used adjustable spanner to wrench tensioner, it is a tight pull). Alternator pulley seems to spin quite freely although there was a rubbing noise. Aircon pulley seems to be fine. Pulley on the tensioner arm does seem to have a little play (can rock it a couple of mil each way). So did suspect the tensioner. Next morning engine was cold, spun alternator pulley again and sometimes could hear tweeting bird noises so presume alternator is problem. I have 2 belts on mine. The power steering and water pump in on the other belt. Have tried test that littledaz recommended . Pulley is locked to fans in both directions. Fans are visible at both front and rear housing.

Numbers on back are Bosch BR14-MO F OOM 145 225 on one part and 120A 14V 028 903 028 BOO 30/99 124 515 010 967 on the other whatever this means. Wondering if this is supposed to be a freewheeling pulley or not.

 

Do not want to go to Frauds as they have damaged my car on 2 occasions (including cracking front grill panel and doing very dodgy looking repair). Cost me a fortune in time and money and still have not got jobs done I have paid for. Aaagh!!!

Have a lot more faith in this site. Can anyone advise please??? I am going to remove the alternator now anyway and have a look at it. I will let u know how get on.

 

ps. When revving the engine the noise dies down quite a lot and the alternator pulley appears to move outwards from the alternator by a few mil. When you drop the revs the pulley moves back in and the noise increases dramatically. With the belt removed the pulley and shaft can be pulled backwards and forwards a few mil in and out of the alternator. Is this of any relevance??

Edited May 7, 2007 by elize

[jackspud]

i had the same problem it is the alternator pully, took me ages to find it on mine :blink:

[elize]

i had the same problem it is the alternator pully, took me ages to find it on mine :blink:

 

We have now removed alternator completely. Can spin the pulley both ways independantly from the internal fan. This is making that awful screech niose. There is also lots of red dust so I pressume this is definately the pully and pressume the alternator itself is fine. There seems to be a cartel getting a lot of money from us folks for unnessesary parts. Did you take yours for repair or fit part yourself. Can I ask cost?

Thanks Elize

P.S. As I live in the back of beyond getting parts or anything is near to impossible

[elize]

Hi

Huge thanks to littledaz for his excellent advice on alternators and pulleys.

Here's an update.

We contacted E & M Motor factors in Aberystwyth and they could supply re-con alternator for

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Hi Elize,

 

Yeah, the alternator mounts were really tight. I never thought about filing them down so I just gave things a good battering until everything lined up. I can also confirm that the pulley was a real brute to get off. I thought I was going to snap my new spline tool... as you say, brute force is certainly required. I am still looking to buy a replacement Galaxy in the coming weeks as soon as the insurance pays up. The pulley will be one of the first things I look for as well as rear washer, aircon and other common faults.

[elize]

jackthehat

 

Good luck in your search for a good galaxy. Other probs we had were:

 

Radio would not code. Apparently it's not easy to replace with just any radio especially if you have the control stick on the steering wheel. We ended up at RDS in chester. They were fantastic but it was still

[Smilge]

Good information here gents ...thanks a lot ... will bear this in mind for the future. :wacko:

[bluenosebryan]

just reading through some of the posts and wow i would never of guessed that would be the problem with the alternator pulley,its the first ive heard of it and it looks like its going to save me a lot of money by not taking it to frauds,i thought i had cured the problem by spraying wd40 on the groves of the belt,this worked for about a minute but as soon as the belt dried the loud and irritateing noise was back,anyway thanks littledaz for your knowledge of this and will go and have a look now the rain has stopped and try your other usefull tips on the alternator ..thanks..