Parts advice please - starter/alternator

[fairwynds]

Hi all
having a brain freeze re these bits and not having much luck on sites such as GSF and Brickwerks.
I have a T25 1900 DG, 1985.
I will soon need

alternator (mine apparently doesnt put out much and the required rise in output when revved isnt there, also my battery suffers because of this, flattens too often as not enough ampage reaching it - alternator was tested recently)
and
starter motor (mine is 'lazy' and always has been!

Ive read there are some differences available, and I guess I will want the ones that give the most 'punch'?

Any advice on what the options are and where I can get them easily greatfully received.... with thanks.

[Ian Hulley]

Unless the bearings have gone the alternators easy, get a new brush/regulator pack (about £15). 2 screws and it's done.

Ian

[fairwynds]

Ian - I take it that 'worn brushes' would affect the output then?
Sorry if its a dumb question - anything auto electrics is, to me, magic performed by pixies!!
Ta
FW

[Ian Hulley]

Ian - I take it that 'worn brushes' would affect the output then?
Sorry if its a dumb question - anything auto electrics is, to me, magic performed by pixies!!
Ta
FW

Yep

As for the starter, disconnect battery earth and try cleaning all the connections first ... inc the earth strap on the gearbox nose mount.

Ian

[fairwynds]

Thanks again...
Ive had the battery on charge for two days now...per local factors instructions (as van doesnt get used enough atm), and my charger shows battery full/good and now on a float charge of 0.2 amps.

Van has always suffered a 'lag' on the starter when I turn the key, before if fully catches....
well, this morning there was nothing, nada, zippo! Had headlights, had dash/ignition lights, but not a peep out of starter.

If and when it EVER stops raining (!) I'll get under van and sort a new starter motor/clean terminals etc

Jon

[Ian Hulley]

Sounds like it could be the signal wire ... this is the small (6mm) spade terminal on the solenoid, it's the commonest thing to go on them. If there's enough cable cut it back to good bright copper and crimp a yellow 6mm female spade on.

Ian.

[fairwynds]

Sounds like it could be the signal wire ... this is the small (6mm) spade terminal on the solenoid, it's the commonest thing to go on them. If there's enough cable cut it back to good bright copper and crimp a yellow 6mm female spade on.

Ian.

Thanks...will let you know...

[fairwynds]

Well, I have looked at the starter and seen that the wire (looks like a braided wire) form solenoid to body of starter has rotted through and now dangles in thin air! Hence the no start sydrome, and probably the cause of the years of starter 'lag'!? I imagine the last few strands of wire gave up last week.
Am I right in thinking the following:-
A) the two (thick) wires that fit over the large threaded 'post' on the end of the solenoid are both lives, from battery and alternator?
B) the small wire with the spade connector to end of solenoid - where does that come from and what does it do?uy a new Bosch
C) the earth wire for the starter is actually not connected to it, but to the end of the gearbox 'nose'?

Hear is a pic (which may come out too small as I STILL cant sort the problem I seem to have with Photobucket, sorry) which seems to show that the bush is intact. I do plan to replace that anyway when I either get the starter motor refurbed or buy a new one.
Is ther a 'best place' to buy a new Bosch starter from? Any ideas?

Thanks in advance everyone.... hope to be back on the road this week

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l261/ ... G_2340.jpg

[andisnewsyncro]

Your wiring sounds about right, apart from the bit dangling in thin air

From the wiki
"There are three wires one really thick one (about 1/2" thick!) that comes from the front of the van which is the positive wire from the battery. This attatches to a horizontal threaded bar on the starter. Also connected here is the wire that goes rearwards to the engine bay and to the alternator. There is also a push on connector on a thinner wire that attatches to the solenoid the smaller cylinder on the starter motor. Ensure this is pushed on correctly. "

The thin wire to the solenoid is the main trigger wire that Ian mentioned earlier.

Good luck

[fairwynds]

Lordy lordy!
I 'rang around' this morning to source a new starter motor, after my local auto electrical repairer actually said it might pay to get a new/recon!
Here's what I found out:-

SMG - local VW commercial van place = £328.00 + VAT (new) ! or £148.42 + VAT (recon)

Trade Part Specialists - £228.54 inc VAT and a refundable surcharge of £45.00 upon reciept of your old unit

GSF - £110.00 +VAT (recon)

Local (to me) motor Factors - £75.00 inc VAT (Bosch recon) - Bargain!! (well, bargain ish!)

So, hopefully be up and running tomorrow......

[ermie571]

Fairy,

when you put your new bushes in the starter, make sure you do up the two screws, bolts (could be either) that hold it in good and tighhhhhhhht as it affects the charge the alternator puts out. Guess how I found this out...... Yep, poor output, new bush, still poor output....mate comes along tightens said screws....full charge at battery! Doh!

[fairwynds]

(Thanks Ermie... but ended up with a new one )

Have just spent a pleasant (!) couple of hour under the van, and fitted the new starter. Its as though Ive hooked her up to some new fangled hospital heart machine - turn the key and POW! Instantly awake! Sounds much different (nicer) than the tired old one too, wierd! Also fitted the new bush. Lots of cleaning and tidying there too, and a liberal coating of 'No Crode' on all the terimals etc. Job done!

So........

Those of you that may experience that 'lag' when you turn the key, a sort of pause, whilst the van thinks about it - it may be that oilite bush everyone talks of, but, like mine, it could be a gradual breaking down of that short wire between the solenoid and the starter.
I reckon that was also the cause of a drop in charge from the alternator to the battery too, but will be getting that checked tomorrow.

Am rather chuffed....

[Bert2]

I obtained a new starter motor from a good supplier, brand new starter for a 1.6d 1983 van, other suppliers quoted around £129 (JK) for one where you had to send in your old starter, AlternatorNStarters supplied me a brand starter for £102 including next day delivery and Vat and they will not be beaten on price, I had a quote from a local recon business for at least £60 for my original to be reconditioned so I think £102 is a good deal for a brand new one"
if you require a quote call 07915 822042. Remember the price will be for a new not recon and will include vat and delivery! I have had my starter for a year now and its great starts the van every time, they also do parts for alternators and complete alternators.

Good luck