Technical Aternator replaced, steering and battery drain.

[Kevon]

2006 Grande Punto 1.4 Dynamic. I just replaced my alternator for a refub model. I have now developed a couple of strange problems.
When I start the engine it runs ok but the battery light stays on and the power steering does'nt work. I turn off the ignition and start the engine the problem goes away until the next time I use the car.
Also I have developed a battery drain which I have tested through and found to be from the 60A fuse F1 under the bonnet, I can not find any info on what this feeds.
I have had the new alternator checked by an auto electrician and is ok. When left overnight the battery is dead, new battery fitted 0.09A drain when tested.
Has anyone any ideas? :bang:

 

[Kevon]

Had it to local fiat dealer today, plugged into diagnostics machine and told me that the alternator is spiking the ecu which is causing the problems. The report says that it is a non compatible alternator which was supplied.
Phoned company that supplied alternator and they were baffled, but are sorting it after bank holiday.
Hope this is the end of it.

 

[grantm616]

Good luck with that mate hope everything gets sorted!

 

[phil0254]

Hi Kevo
There are a few threads on aftermarket non oe alternators being fitted and not putting out the warning light .When mine failed, having read the threads on here ,i just bit the bullet and fitted a genuine one ..problem solved..I can only imagine that the ecu is looking for something specific voltage wise to put the light out ..Unfortunately the days of throwing a alternator on seem to be by..ECU's nowdays have a hissy fit if they don't see the value they are looking for

 

[Kevon]

Re: Alternator replaced, steering and battery drain.

Am having a replacement unit sent to try, the guy at the suppliers is baffled. Going to give this one last chance then going to have to pay dealer price. Its a good job I can do the work myself otherwise this would be costing me a fortune in labour.

 

[Kevon]

Re: Alternator replaced, steering and battery drain.

Well, replacement was sent and fitted, noticed that it was a refurbed Denso unit they sent. Obviously only the original Denso units are calibrated to the ecu on the grande punto, as I fitted it yesterday afternoon and lo and behold everything was back to normal, checked this morning battery still fully charged so battery drain has disappeared.
The lesson learned here is that it is sometimes better to spend the extra to get the real thing?
Happy now.
:wave:

 

[Kevon]

Re: Alternator replaced, steering and battery drain.

OOOOh Nooooo!
Went for a run out, made a few stops and then got stranded, battery dead. Some kind chaps gave me a bump, went straight to local garage and had alternator tested.........Duf! It was under charging, OK when just running normally but as soon as the radio and or fan or lights were turned on the draw on the system was more than the alternator was pushing out.
Just fitted a genuine fiat unit (£240) from dealer and all is well.
Object lesson, sometimes better to pay dealer prices, is cheaper in the long run.

 

[JimbbobW1977]

Mines giving me problems at the moment. After a failed alternator last year, twice in the couple of weeks ive had starting problems and a flat battery.

Yesterday I left for a long journey got to the end of my road the revs started increasing, battery light came on. Stopped it checked under the bonnet all seemed fine, then it wouldnt restart battery dead. I jump started it, it was making some strange tweeting noise. Then I took it on my long journey and its fine.

One think I have always noticed is that my rubber seal on the bulkhead to stop water pouring onto the back of engine, alternator etc has never fitted and I normally find it half hanging off. I think in the recent weather a load of water bas been pouring onto the back of the alternator. I have sealed it in place with bathroom sealer to try and stop the water getting into it.

I already have the modified drain tube fitted, that Fiat bought out even though they wont admit to a design fault.