HELP: Charge and Sediment light on, no charge to battery
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 12:25 pm
Damn. Just when I needed the uber-reliable Bongo to go away in tomorrow, I’ve come out to find charge and sediment lights staying on with engine running (even when revved) and no apparaent charge to the SB (voltage stays at 12v approx with engine off and engine on). Couldn’t do more in the rain before I had to take the bus to work (I could have risked the 10 miles there and back I guess but thought better of it). Also, phoned Adrian at Japan Direct for gave me some thoughts but is off work for a week so can’t attend to it just now.
So…..I’ve had a quick look at old threads and it seems:
1. I need to check voltage at alternator to make absolutely sure it is giving out no charge
2. Need to check belts are OK (but suspect they will be)
I’m puzzled that this appears to have happened suddenly. You’d think an alternator might fade slowly so that first indication was charge light being slow to go out, but going out when engine revved.
Now, assuming I find the alternator is giving out no charge, how do I ascertain if it is the alternator or the alternator regulator (which I read could be a cause). Or even something else? I saw on one thread that a bad earth can cause a problem, though this sounds like an outside chance and I think the person in question had a flickering charge light rather than charge light permanently on.
Next, I have a spare alternator bought from Harry a few years back just in case, but can I easily tell from some label on its casing whether it is suitably rated (Bongos need 90amps? 100amps?) as no point fitting an lower-rated one it seems.
If I have to change the alternator, does it make sense to fit new belts at the same time or does that up the complexity of the work (bearing in mind I might even attempt to do this tomorrow morning so I can set off mid afternoon if I get it fixed).
Also, I have an alarm bell about the tensioner being very hard to undo and likely to break. Am I stuffed if this happens or can I rig up a make-do. And I thought I read a thread where someone had sourced replacements.
And what is the technique for getting the alternator set so tension in the belts is correct?
Finally, is an old geezer with a bit of tennis elbow and a back that doesn’t much like being bent over, going to be able to DIY this job or should I take it in to be done? And with Adrian out of action, where to? Wheelquick are usually rushed off their feet.
I know most if not all this stuff is out there on threads, but it is so scattered and anecdotal that its hard to assemble with certainly.
Oh and finally, how long y'da reckon a diesel Bongo would run on SB + LB power combined if both were well charged and only min. electrical devices were used?
Any thoughts would be very gratefully received.
Thanks chums. I’m missing the Bongo already
So…..I’ve had a quick look at old threads and it seems:
1. I need to check voltage at alternator to make absolutely sure it is giving out no charge
2. Need to check belts are OK (but suspect they will be)
I’m puzzled that this appears to have happened suddenly. You’d think an alternator might fade slowly so that first indication was charge light being slow to go out, but going out when engine revved.
Now, assuming I find the alternator is giving out no charge, how do I ascertain if it is the alternator or the alternator regulator (which I read could be a cause). Or even something else? I saw on one thread that a bad earth can cause a problem, though this sounds like an outside chance and I think the person in question had a flickering charge light rather than charge light permanently on.
Next, I have a spare alternator bought from Harry a few years back just in case, but can I easily tell from some label on its casing whether it is suitably rated (Bongos need 90amps? 100amps?) as no point fitting an lower-rated one it seems.
If I have to change the alternator, does it make sense to fit new belts at the same time or does that up the complexity of the work (bearing in mind I might even attempt to do this tomorrow morning so I can set off mid afternoon if I get it fixed).
Also, I have an alarm bell about the tensioner being very hard to undo and likely to break. Am I stuffed if this happens or can I rig up a make-do. And I thought I read a thread where someone had sourced replacements.
And what is the technique for getting the alternator set so tension in the belts is correct?
Finally, is an old geezer with a bit of tennis elbow and a back that doesn’t much like being bent over, going to be able to DIY this job or should I take it in to be done? And with Adrian out of action, where to? Wheelquick are usually rushed off their feet.
I know most if not all this stuff is out there on threads, but it is so scattered and anecdotal that its hard to assemble with certainly.
Oh and finally, how long y'da reckon a diesel Bongo would run on SB + LB power combined if both were well charged and only min. electrical devices were used?
Any thoughts would be very gratefully received.
Thanks chums. I’m missing the Bongo already
also powers the alternator, if this fuse fails (Headlamp blown ?) then no magnetic field within the alternator to generate anything!
I now know where to get a replacement pronto 
