Alternator b***s up - help needed

Lewy · Post by **Lewy** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 4:57 pm

Really need some help here as I think i've done a big old cock up.

So got the charge and sediment lights syndrome - read the threads checked everything I could belts ect and decided to bite the bullet and get an alternator. Got one from Bongo bits. Took old one off but didn't disconnect the battery - so when fitting the new one touched the casing to the what I assume is the live cable and got a spark.

I think this is when I blew the mian 100Amp fuse - problem number 1:

I can see it has gone but it will not pull out of the black plastic mounting - the others do. Should it pull out or do you flip out off the clear plastic top and access it that way?

Anyway - didn't know about this carried on fitting the alternator plugged it up and attempted to start - went to ignition but nada - nothing there thats when I checked the fuse.

When I saw it was gone had a look at the alternator and smelt something electrical and bit of smoke coming from the plastic socket - but all I did was plug up in the same way as the old one - but I have noticed that the new alternator has different colour wires at this point - it has a socket with 2 blades which is joined to another socket with 3 blades - the original alternator only has 2.

So - to recap how do I get the 100 Amp fuse out to replace it and have I done something stupid to the alternator? It only has 2 connections the live post and the plastic plug / socket system so what have I done wrong?

Post by **Ian** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 5:36 pm

The 100amp fuse is bolted on from underneath. I know this because on my old Freda, a spotty faced herbert of a mechanic managed the sheer it off when pulling too hard.

Lewy · Post by **Lewy** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:18 pm

Thanks Ian - managed to work that out and have done a temp bypass to get some power on.

The new alternator is in place - but no battery charge or sediment light on start up - so I guess its not working.

Spoke to garage in Totnes Dart Motors and Allan in Plymouth both really helpfull. Will refit the old alternator tomorrow and get the new one checked. I have to say I don't get why the connectors are different to the original. Will speak to Bongobits in the morning.

Any other ideas gladly appreciated - specially as to where to get a replacement 100 amp fuse - also a good recon / repairer of alternators?

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 7:19 pm

BIG FUSES

E-Bay £2.50 each Item number: 250063046391

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 8:02 pm

Looks like you'll be stuck in Altrincham with us NW nutters Lewy. Seriously though, it sounds like a reminder to take battery disconnection seriously. I nearly didnt do when fitting my coolant alarm at the w/e

Lewy · Post by **Lewy** » Wed Jul 25, 2007 10:33 pm

Hmm very possibly Mike - I did read the alternator fact sheet but don't remember mentioning battery disconnection - but of course I suppose its obvious really to any one with half a brain - anyway the fuse did what its supposed to do.

phil 1 · Post by **phil 1** » Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:42 pm

Hi
I have purchased an alternator from Bongo Bits and just try ed to fit it but it seams it is not the correct alternator for a bongo as there is wiring harness adaptor fitted to it and the bottom bracket dos not fit properly. Any way i managed to get it fitted and start it up and then a lot screeching and lots of smoke

. Not happy £200 for a useless lump metal will be phoning bongo bits first thing tomorrow i hope they sort it as I'm of to France next week. So you shorting out your electrics has no connection to your alternator smoking.

Lewy · Post by **Lewy** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 9:03 am

Phil - I think I heard about this - Dave at Dart Motors mentioned someone whose alternator shredded itself - and it was from BB - have to say they were totally cool about it and just swapped my one. I hope yours and mine problems are just a coincidence as they have replaced the alt and I've fitted it. I asked them about the bottom bracket which is a good 1/2 inch bigger - the split collar is supposed to take up the slack - I was concerned about this but as it is just a pivot bracket I just nipped it up gently and made sure the adjuster nut at the top was really tight.

BB say they have sold loads of these and had no problems with them - I also remember them telling me these ones crank out about 90 amps as opposed to the 80 amps...not sure if this is a good/bad thing.

anyway fingers crossed its all working now.

phil 1 · Post by **phil 1** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:48 pm

Hi
Phoned bongo bits this morning and like you say they were very helpful and are sending me out a replacement asp top markers for customer care.
lets hope this one works OK

good to hear yours is OK as i was not to shore if it was safe as the cables are very close to the dip stick.

Post by **westonwarrior** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 6:19 pm

Sounds like a bad batch

good company though will allways show when problems happen bad ones will hide

Lewy · Post by **Lewy** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 6:43 pm

phil 1 wrote:Hi
Phoned bongo bits this morning and like you say they were very helpful and are sending me out a replacement asp top markers for customer care.
lets hope this one works OK good to hear yours is OK as i was not to shore if it was safe as the cables are very close to the dip stick.

Phil Make sure the live post is well covered with the gator and I've also tie clipped up lose cables and wires to make sure they are well away from anything hot or moving - while you're at it check your bleed pipe aint chaffing against the sharp edge of the engine bay - there's been posts on this.

I'm defo keeping the reciept for the alternator - hope I don't need it but big up to Bongo Bits for customer service so far

Alternator b***s up - help needed

Alternator b***s up - help needed

PAL Fuses