kester Posted April 12, 2011 Report Posted April 12, 2011 fitted a new alternator from GSF (120A version for my alhambra 1.9tdi 110bhp, 1999) as pulley fell off other and needed to get back on road so couldn't wait to order pulley tool and the brushes were well worn. Turned out they gave me a slightly different part as I needed to use 6 washers glued together as two spacers to make it fit the width of the bolts; and also the charge warning light wire/connector is not the same so I have left it unconencted as yet (until I find a suitable connector). However after a few days the battery is flat and not charging when checked with DVM. I now presume the charge warning light wire is required to be connected to ensure the circuit is complete? Or is it likely I've done summat else wrong? Where do I find a suitable 2 pin weatherproof connector and how are they spec'ed (dimensions etc)? and only one pin was connected before - how do I tell which one to wire in?! attached photos are the connector on the new alternator that I need to find a female mate for ... thanks for helpKester Quote
seatkid Posted April 12, 2011 Report Posted April 12, 2011 You should take the alternator back and get the correct part. Quote
kester Posted April 13, 2011 Author Report Posted April 13, 2011 well it was the only one they had, its now fitted, and I would rather just find a suitable connector than take it off and back to GSF, which would require another day of faffing about. Why is it a problem to just find a suitable connector? Quote
Mirez Posted April 13, 2011 Report Posted April 13, 2011 well it was the only one they had, its now fitted, and I would rather just find a suitable connector than take it off and back to GSF, which would require another day of faffing about. Why is it a problem to just find a suitable connector? I'll be ultra suprised if the charge light has anything to do with it not charging as there is no way the charge circuit will go via the cluster so something else is clearly wrong with that wiring. This isn't a direct go at you but I fully support seatkid's comment and really struggle to understand this type of logic - its the wrong part for the car end of. You wouldn't "make-do" with a fiesta's brake disc instead of a galaxy one if thats all they had, so why make-do with an alternator thats also clearly not designed for your vehicle? Quote
fredthomas Posted April 13, 2011 Report Posted April 13, 2011 you need to check to see if there is 12 volts on the large wire going to the alternator, if it isnt there then there is a break between the batery and the alternator. this is with the ign off as well Quote
sparky Paul Posted April 13, 2011 Report Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) The alternator will not charge the battery unless the charge warning light is connected. The warning light circuit provides a voltage reference to the regulator which provides rotor winding excitation. I do agree with the other posters though, you would be far better off with the right alternator. Edited April 13, 2011 by sparky Paul Quote
seatkid Posted April 13, 2011 Report Posted April 13, 2011 Sparky is right, the warning light provides initial excitation current to start the alternator charging and a reference. However you clearly have the wrong alternator, there is no guarantee you can get it to work, there is a good chance you will blow something with a wrong connection and the alternator you got may be for a ford mk2 model with a smart charge capability - totally incompatible with your VW engines Mk 1. It may also not be lined up accurately with the belt despite your shims. Quote
Mirez Posted April 13, 2011 Report Posted April 13, 2011 It does on modern system yes, but its nearly always a single pin connector - a two pin connector like the OP has makes me think its designed for an external regulator no? Quote
kester Posted April 15, 2011 Author Report Posted April 15, 2011 their computer showed this alternator for my engine code (AFN) but also one other, but that would have had to have been ordered at a cost of Quote
sparky Paul Posted April 15, 2011 Report Posted April 15, 2011 (edited) voltage on battery holds up at 14.3v under load - does that sound about right, or too high? Sounds about right on charge... it's worth checking again after a long run, make sure there's no overcharging when the battery is full up. Not knowing what the intended external wiring should be to the new alternator, it's hard to say what might go wrong. However, if it appears to be working, and there's no evidence of overcharging, it could well be fine. If you do see the charging voltage go over 14.7V or so, you've got problems. Edited April 15, 2011 by sparky Paul Quote
kester Posted April 16, 2011 Author Report Posted April 16, 2011 advice much appreciated, will check after few journeys, cheers Quote
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