portland_bill said:

Stick the meter across the battery and check the voltage output of the alternator. It might be a duff one. If its output is erratic, check the brushes are free to move before condemning it. If it has been stored for a while they may just be a bit sticky.

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Battery measures normal, well at least it did when I measured. When I asked my two youngest to do it it went up and down wildly but I'm hoping it was just their little not so steady hands.

portland_bill said:

Seems very likely to be a dicky contact. As the engine vibrates, the contact is moving, so the earth wire to the engine seems the first place to look. If it is covered, it might have become brittle inside, and is making/breaking as the engine moves. Also need to check the power cable from battery to alternator to ensure tight. If this is fixed to the alternator with a nut, ensure the post in the alternator is also tight.

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Right will need to check this at a later time. I checked the cables seem to be on tight but need the car up on ramps to check properly tomorrow

I know why now

OK so I did find out what was going on... the plastic flap on the cover on the rear of the alternator has come off completely... goodness knows how, i guess it wasn't clicked into place properly in the first place :bang:

Fiat don't sell the cover separately so I guess I'm after another alternator again tips on what to do in the meantime would be very welcome also this wet weather can't have been very god at all for it

Re: I know why now

hastingsmum said:

OK so I did find out what was going on... the plastic flap on the cover on the rear of the alternator has come off completely... goodness knows how, i guess it wasn't clicked into place properly in the first place :bang:

Fiat don't sell the cover separately so I guess I'm after another alternator again tips on what to do in the meantime would be very welcome also this wet weather can't have been very god at all for it

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The flap over the alternator connection nuts is not doing very much other than stopping you putting a screw driver across the contacts.

Re: I know why now

judderbar said:

The flap over the alternator connection nuts is not doing very much other than stopping you putting a screw driver across the contacts.

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So you don't think water is coming in then? Coz that's how it sounded

Re: I know why now

hastingsmum said:

So you don't think water is coming in then? Coz that's how it sounded

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In what way is your problem related to water or dampness? I was thinking when you revved the engine the lights flickered?

Re: I know why now

judderbar said:

In what way is your problem related to water or dampness? I was thinking when you revved the engine the lights flickered?

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Really I'm just guessing... The noise coming from the front sounds like sparks flying if that makes sense? and yeah the lights flicker all the time some time more than other times

Re: I know why now

hastingsmum said:

Really I'm just guessing... The noise coming from the front sounds like sparks flying if that makes sense? and yeah the lights flicker all the time some time more than other times

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I am supposing if you run the car at night you will easily see if you do have sparking going on. The alternator will produce some small sparks but you are not going to hear those sparks over the sound of a running engine.

The problem still sounds like bad wiring so far. That can include wires touching each other to cause sparking.

The car will easily run without the alternator for you to feel confidant the alternator is not involved - just make sure the loose cables are not touching anything by putting them in thicker rubber gloves or something reliable.

A photo of the bodged battery connection for a second opinion might be helpful.........

Re: I know why now

judderbar said:

I am supposing if you run the car at night you will easily see if you do have sparking going on. The alternator will produce some small sparks but you are not going to hear those sparks over the sound of a running engine.

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the noise last night in the rain was LOUD

judderbar said:

The problem still sounds like bad wiring so far. That can include wires touching each other to cause sparking.

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So the wires at the back of alternator it has to be, they are the only ones disturbed recently
I might have to take the car somewhere, even up on ramps i just can't see enough.

judderbar said:

The car will easily run without the alternator for you to feel confidant the alternator is not involved - just make sure the loose cables are not touching anything by putting them in thicker rubber gloves or something reliable.

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lol, yes i remember that, had to do that for a while waiting for this one to arrive...

Re: I know why now

hastingsmum said:

the noise last night in the rain was LOUD



So the wires at the back of alternator it has to be, they are the only ones disturbed recently
I might have to take the car somewhere, even up on ramps i just can't see enough.



lol, yes i remember that, had to do that for a while waiting for this one to arrive...

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The alternator belt will be easy to slip on and off if you have air conditioning? If so I think you are going to have to take that belt off to convince yourself to look elsewhere like for example the bodged battery connection

Re: I know why now

judderbar said:

The alternator belt will be easy to slip on and off if you have air conditioning? If so I think you are going to have to take that belt off to convince yourself to look elsewhere like for example the bodged battery connection

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i DO have a bodged negative terminal connection...could be worth checking...

i also have a spare battery in case i forget to put the belt back on

Thanks!!

TRe: Misbehaving again

Belt off, noise and other symptoms gone

Re: TRe: Misbehaving again

hastingsmum said:

Belt off, noise and other symptoms gone

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I am impressed you have done this yourself It seems you were right all along. I am guessing at this stage the damaged alternator is creating a direct short of the positive terminal of the battery and there really are sparks flying off that thing down there.

Re: TRe: Misbehaving again

With the belt off, can you turn the alternator pulley and feel/hear if there's any 'grating'?

Re: TRe: Misbehaving again

widemouthfrog said:

With the belt off, can you turn the alternator pulley and feel/hear if there's any 'grating'?

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Oh no, we've come full circle, I'm sure you've said those exact words to me before...one alternator ago lol

Re: TRe: Misbehaving again

judderbar said:

I am impressed you have done this yourself It seems you were right all along. I am guessing at this stage the damaged alternator is creating a direct short of the positive terminal of the battery and there really are sparks flying off that thing down there.

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I'm not sure how impressed you should be...not sure I have t caused this mess somehow myself...

The pulley spins perfectly. Just checked now. Bloody freezing out though

Re: TRe: Misbehaving again

hastingsmum said:

Oh no, we've come full circle, I'm sure you've said those exact words to me before...one alternator ago lol

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hastingsmum - I saw this and thought of you :

LCD Cigarette Lighter Voltage Digital Panel Meter Volt Voltmeter Monitor Car By BuyinCoins: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

For very little outlay, it's got to be worth a try, if only for peace of mind. Once (ahem) you've got your alternator problem sorted, that is.

Ordered!! Thanks, deffo worth a try.

I have sorted the flickering lights now but still some noise. One of the wires looked fine at a glance but was in fact exposed.

Did you find out what's making the noise in the alternator?

widemouthfrog said:

Did you find out what's making the noise in the alternator?

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Well it got better when I taped that exposed site so I'm thinking wires touching... And I must have missed some since it's still there, minus the flickering, just not as bad.