Reluctant alternator output

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 11 Feb 2006, 15:53

Any of you auto sparky experts know anything about this?

When I start the engine there is no output from the blue "tell-tale" wire until I rev the engine up to about 4000 - then the voltage moves up to 13.3 or so (which I understand is normal) and stays there till the engine is next stopped.

I thought alternators should produce between 13 and 14.5 at all revs - any ideas?

Post by **DiscoDave** » 11 Feb 2006, 17:20

mine does a similar sort of thing! i found that if the contacts were cleaned up it only takes to about 2k before the light goes off! appart from that i can't help!!

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 11 Feb 2006, 18:27

Which contacts Dave?

Post by **lhd** » 12 Feb 2006, 00:46

I have had a constant problem of this type.
First the red light started coming on, so I checked and replaced the regulator (brushes), as they were needed. via GSF.
Next thing the red light only goes out when I am just about to change gear. Plus if the fridge is switched to the battery, it only goes out when the engine is almost being thrashed.
Once it goes ou,t it stays out unless you restart the engine.
Questioned GSF about it and they say it must be that my alternator is on the way out.
I find this hard to believe because the problem with the regulator was intermittent, When it worked it worked properly. ie the red light went out straight away.
Not quite sure how to test if the alternator is O.K. As although I have a multimeter, sadly I do not know how to use it.....
1983 westy joker 1.6d n/a
lhd.............................................................................................

Post by **cumbriankeith** » 12 Feb 2006, 07:37

Thanks for that lhd
My alternator was new only a year or so back so I don't think it's that but I'm no expert either...
Anyone else?

Post by **DiscoDave** » 12 Feb 2006, 08:30

cumbriankeith wrote:Which contacts Dave?

morning, mostly the blue switch wire! if this has a bad connection or is any way dammaged it will cause the light to stay on longer than normal! bad connection/dammage will give a higher resestance therefore will need more revs to push pash the resitance and then the light will go off!! wow, that's technical for a sunday morning!!

Post by **lhd** » 13 Feb 2006, 19:02

Thought I would put the old regulatpr back in to see what happened and hey presto. GSF either gave me a dud or the wrong regulator.
all fixed.

lhd........................

Club 80-90 Forums

Reluctant alternator output

Reluctant alternator output

Contacts?

Alts

Re: Contacts?