Alternator Workshop

[Jayton]

Hi all,

 

Had the light come on, on the way to work, about 5 miles from the office and as I was about to join the A34 :unsure: The car got me to work, and didn't drive home and got a lift from my boss as I didn't want the battery to die on my and lose power steering on some of the twisty roads I have to drive on!

 

I've done the searches and found out how to check the voltages etc my results are below:

 

with car running, 12.00V-12.04V Across the battery terminals and from the big cable on the Alt. to the Neg. on the battery. no Change if revving the car (normal?) Pushing on the tensioner to make the belt 'tighter' didn't change the voltage either.

With car off, 12.34V-12.40V across the battery terminals and from the big cable on the Alt. to the Neg. on the battery.

 

Checked the multimeter on my bosses car and his was 14V+ while on, and 12.9V while off (a bit high?).

 

 

 

There was an odd noise coming from the engine bay - possibly the alt, not the chirping of the pulley as that was changed last year, new belt last year at the same time.

 

 

Now does that tell you good gentlemen that the brushes need replacing? :)

 

TIA for your help!

[chrispb123456]

Hi J

Have you checked the auxiliary fuse box for the meltdown syndrome.

[Mirez]

 

Checked the multimeter on my bosses car and his was 14V+ while on, and 12.9V while off (a bit high?).

 

 

14.4 is a perfect alt voltage when running, acceptable is about .4V either way. 12.9V when off is either a new car, or new battery - its basically exactly where it should be if the battery is perfect.

 

Anywho, yes check the battery cable from the alt and the aux box - after that then its an alt failure so either brushes or recon unit.

[Jayton]

Will check the voltage between the alt and aux fuse box, that's one test I didn't check - always good to cover all avenues. Thanks guys.

 

14V on my bosses car would be due to new battery a few months ago after I had to jump start him a few times and pick him up when it was -20 and apparently Alfa's won't start if it's under -10C :rolleyes:

 

Will get the brushes first, they're sure to be a heck of a lot cheaper than a new alt or recon unit.

[Jayton]

Just ordered the bush kit,

[Jayton]

Bloody car!!!

 

Got the Alt. off then noticed the screws that hold the bush kit in place are already worn, looks like it's been done before! anyway, soaked them in penetrating oil for a 5 mins then tried and the head gave way on one of them.

 

Going to get it recovered from my work tomorrow and take the Alt. to a local garage and get them to drill the screws out as I don't trust myself doing that, I'd end up ruining the threads.

 

 

This car is going ASAP!