New alternator?

[boiliebob]

Hi guy's.

Is it time for a new alternator? for a while the battery light has been flickering, but now its a constant on with no rev counter. Not had chance to get the meter out to check yet. But do we think it's on it's way out?

cheers,
Rob

[ghost123uk]

Could be 20 different things. The first thing to do is get your meter out and measure voltage at the big terminal on the back of the alternator. Anything more than 13.6 Volts indicates the problem is not alternator, anything less means it is the alternator, though 9 times out of 10 it just needs a new brush pack (which includes the voltage regulation circuit) at less than £15.

[boiliebob]

Cheers Ghost.

Brush pack was replaced about 3 months ago. Changed to see if that was cause of flickering light. No change. I'll get the meter out later.

[Oldiebut goodie]

No rev counter sounds like diodes gone west.

[ghost123uk]

^^^ sounds likely then.

[boiliebob]

No rev counter sounds like diodes gone west.

Please excuse my ignorance, is the diode within the alternator? I've been having discussions with our electrical dept. at work and to be honest most of what they said went over my head. Electricky is not my thing, as they say.

Rob

[ghost123uk]

Yes, the diodes are inside the alternator, but whilst they can be DIY replaced, it is a full strip down and requires a heavy duty soldering iron and good soldering technique (too much heat will damage them). I replaced a diode once on our Scirocco, I think if I needed to again, I would likely be visiting the breakers (or even forking out for a re-con one )

[kevtherev]

Do you have a place in your town that refurbishes alternators / starter motors?