Give me strength! Alternator packed up now!

[KarlT]

Okay, another day another breakdown. Just got in after having to drive home with no lights
I've had issues these past couple of months with the dash/controls. A few days back, battery light just stopped working. There has been no slight glowing or flat batterys, checked wiring & belt to alternator.....Thought not another thing on dash!
Anyhow turns out not dash, driving home today in the dark....stereo go's off, bugger....lights go dim, bugger....stalls in middle of town,in middle of road....oh sh!t! Eventually managed to bump it & get home with nothing on....scary.
What can cause a alternator to quit in one second, how do I fix it & what are my options now?

[AngeloEvs]

Get an exchange replacement (GSF, etc), a second hand one (EBAY or the wanted forum), take it to a specialist company that can refurb yours or get one of a donor vehicle that will fit. There have been a few threads about the latter and what can be fitted (usually to upgrade to a 90A). From the sound of it yours was in trouble when the first symptom appeared - no warning light functioning since it relies on the alternator to actually work.

[sandwedge]

Could also be the regulator/rectifier (never sure which is for an alternator and which id dynamo).

Best thing to do to start with is check if the alternator is putting out any voltage, if it is it could be that the regulator has gone so voltage is leaking back in to the charging circuit.

If no voltage then it could be either brushes or winding that have gone, when brushes go its usually a progressive break down. If windings have burnt out the it would happen quickly, although I have heard of intermittent winding break downs that eventually become fatal.

If you dont have the kit to check it most battery suppliers should be able to test for you.

[Cruz]

An option could be to remove your alternator and take it to a local auto electrician. Or even bump start it and take the whole van

My alternator was whining and the auto electrician replaced the bearing. On our June holiday to Ireland the alternator stopped charging like yours has and a Belfast auto electrician fixed it straight away for me even though it was late in the afternoon. A new regulator fitted and a wire had snapped somehow. Works like a charm now.

[AngeloEvs]

Could be the failure of the LED indicates a problem with the field winding or diode pack as it relies on these component parts to work........

[KarlT]

I was driving along fine...never been any battery or battery light issues. engine stalled (because of LPG issues!!!! ) I quickly started it again & noticed the battery light didn't come on. Another 15/20 miles, 5 starts & battery completely flat. No wierd alternator noises.