THE DREADED ALTERNATOR

YVANOVICZ · Post by **YVANOVICZ** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:52 pm

Uno problemo...

I was driving today and noticed the sediment and charge lights come on. I have read in the orumthat these two are linked and usually shoe together. I checked and emptied the sediment tank and this made no difference. I changed the fuel filter to no avail. I tested the battery and alternator and the voltage is 11.75 volts with no difference while revving hard.
The only thing I have done diferently is I jump started my Ford Galaxy yesterday from the bongo while she was running. Could this have caused the problem. Could it have damaged the alternator?

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 11:06 pm

I would recommend first that you check to see if you have blown any of the fuses under the bonnet.

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:01 am

After checking the fuses as Pippin suggests, check the voltage at the alternator main terminal directly if you haven't already done so. That voltage should be at least 14 volts. If it isn't, you have a problem with the alternator but I would think it unlikely it was caused by jump starting.

YVANOVICZ · Post by **YVANOVICZ** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:19 am

Yes
Checked that too. Voltage just under 12v. I havent spilled anything on the alternator and the fuses are all ok.
Am I right in thinking that there are only 2 sets of fuses under the bonnet?
By the battery and to the right under a plastic cover?
Would any of the fuses under the steering wheel affect the alternator?

Thanks for replies so far...

yvan

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:31 am

Hi Yvan,

If you have checked the voltage at the alternator, and it's only 12 volts, there is something wrong with the alternator itself. The charging voltage should be much higher than that. The fuses would not affect this as none of them are in the circuit if you are checking directly at the alternator's main terminal.

One possibility, if one of the main battery fuses had blown, would be that the alternator had been run open circuit, which would have damaged it, but you say that the main fuses are ok. That would seem to rule out that possibility.

I think that all the internal fuses are related to specific items, such as lights, heater, radio, etc. They shouldn't affect the charging circuit, but I stand by to be corrected on that one.

Colin.

YVANOVICZ · Post by **YVANOVICZ** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:25 pm

Thanks for the help so far.
I am getting it checked out at a diesel specialist tomorrow and I'll post the news then. I'm expecting to need a new alternator, though

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:30 pm

Ages ago on the forum there was info on getting the alternator refurbished or exchanging it for a refurbished one.

The info might be in the Owners' Club section.

Post by **Ian** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:46 pm

You can get alternators mended by Nippon Distribution (0121-311-0313). Or get a reconditioned one from Autojapspares (0247-647-4848).

Or a new one from Mazda (?1.2 million)

YVANOVICZ · Post by **YVANOVICZ** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:32 pm

There has been a slight development...
I took her for a burn tonight and found that at 4000 rpm, the warning lights go out. This must mean that the alternator is working just not very well...i think?

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 10:58 pm

Or that your battery is duff/dry?

Cheaper than an alternator!

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 12:10 am

Why not check the charging voltage with a meter at 4000 rpm?????? sounds to me like the alternator.
You might be able to just get a diode pack - helluva lot cheaper than an alternator

http://www.picotech.com/auto/tutorials/ ... ators.html

Chris P · Post by **Chris P** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:15 am

I had alternator troubles in 2004, and changed a fairly recently changed filter etc. I was clearly getting some charge as the charging problem light hardly ever came on.

My local Lucas reconditioned it for me (or swapped it for a reconditioned one) for a couple of hundred. Been fine since.

Cheers

Chris

graham filmer · Post by **graham filmer** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:13 pm

Hi Yvan et all - imagine my surprise when I found this thread for exactly the same problem that we have just experienced. I've just spent some time browsing past threads and it appears that this dual chaging and sediment lighting together has happened to a few people. Reading through them whilst people have cleaned the sediment filter F(found i I understand under the drivers seat) it has made no real difference and the problem seems to be the alternator. For our Bongo the lights go out as soon as the car is under way and thus far they stay out (but clearly there is something wrong).

Yvan if you cna update the outcome to your and my problem it would be much appreciated - hopefully it will not be the alternator!

Regards

graham

Chris P · Post by **Chris P** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:43 pm

I'd put a pound in it being the alternator, Graham.

Cheers

Chris

Post by **Ian** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 8:59 pm

I've got a recon alternator here in stock if you want one. PM me for details.