Club 80-90 Forums

Hi All,

Just brought a new van and on the way home the battery started boiling over. As it has been sitting for a while I just assumed it was old and replaced the new battery, however the same thing started happening when I fitted the new one. Placed a multi-meter on it and its putting 17V into the battery at idle. Am I correct in thinking the alternator has had it? I've replaced it for a Lucas 65Ah motor for a 1.9L petrol van. Going to be using a leisure battery so assume the alternator upgrade was worth the money.

Thanks in advance!

John

Sounds like the regulator needs replacing.
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/t3-parts/e ... 14-5v.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks, seems a easy fix and a lot cheaper than a new alternator. Will try it first!

So replaced the voltage regulator and it’s still putting 17-18 bolts through to the battery. Anything else it can be or definitely the alternator?

Are you confident your volt meter is accurate ? If not ,do you have another car you can try it on?

I’m not confident in the volt meter, however it is being accompanied by a strong hissing/bubbling sound. We did try the new regulator with the old battery as it seemed new and is holding a charge well, but appreciate that the battery could also be the issue. We have a new one that I will put on tomorrow, however it also hissed/bubbles prior to the regulator changing.

Just to be clear on this
You changed the brush pack in your alternator for a new one and you are still getting more than 14.5v out the back of the alternator?

I changed the voltage regulator, the part with the two small spring pieces of metal. As far as I am aware I have not changed the brush pack unless they are the same thing

Oh and apologies the 17-18 volts is on the battery terminal, not the back of the alternator

Possibly the battery is shorted internally ? What is the battery voltage reading after it has been standing 12 hours or more?

I’ve since replaced it with a new battery and it’s still doing the same thing unfortunately.

Oh dear!
As the new regulator hasn't changed anything it must be something internal to the alternator - as to what could cause high voltage like that I am at a loss other than the diodes have failed, whilst repairable with difficulty for the average guy/gal a new alternator is the easiest answer now.

There is no split charge system? Thinking there might be a second battery connected in series that the previous owner had a switch or something somewhere you don't know about. It's very unlikely, but since you just got the car you never know.

There were two batteries out in series but I have disconnected them all and it’s still doing it. Couldn’t find a split charge either.

Novastrike wrote:I changed the voltage regulator, the part with the two small spring pieces of metal. As far as I am aware I have not changed the brush pack unless they are the same thing

On the back of the alternator, yes .
The spring bits as you call them are the brushes.


https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/voltage-re ... 14-5v.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;