Technical [Cinq] Alternator dying

[ste2425]

Well ive got my beloved cinq' back from my parents(been driving an 04 Meganne for the last year) and love it. However on the drive back from Blackpool to Huddersfield (no motorways thought id have a bit of fun ) my lights kept strobing and the engine sounded like it was labouring in time with them. Engine sounds fine as soon as a turn my lights off so I believe my alternator is on its last legs. Looked through ebay and new ones are around the £50-60 quid mark. Bit more then id like to spend but I don't want to mess about with a used one either. So the point of this question

Are there any places local to Huddersfield where I can swap my old alternator for a refurb at a decent price? Is the refurb itself something you could buy a kit for and perform yourself?

Thanks all

Stephen.

 

[Lecook]

This is sometging I looked into not so long ago.as long as your bearings are good and theres not just a simple earth fault then look into the carbon brush kits... around 17quid iirc you can get them on ebay or if you have a search on google

Lee

Edit.. this is the kiddy your after ebay item no. 290969714086

Complete voltage regulator... its litterally 2 screws to remove then replace.. 3 min job if you havent got screwdriver in hand

 

[ste2425]

Thanks for the quick reply and item no.

So the voltage regulator is that what is meant to keep a smooth power supply, stop the strobing? Assuming my bearings are fine, need to check, it would be that and a brush kit if I was performing the refurb my self?

 

[Pep0]

This is sometging I looked into not so long ago.as long as your bearings are good and theres not just a simple earth fault then look into the carbon brush kits... around 17quid iirc you can get them on ebay or if you have a search on google

Lee

Edit.. this is the kiddy your after ebay item no. 290969714086

Complete voltage regulator... its litterally 2 screws to remove then replace.. 3 min job if you havent got screwdriver in hand

Hi
It is cheaper unbolting the earth bonding straps on the inner wings and cleaning wing bolts and strap back to bare metal plastering with Vaseline or any heavy grease to hand and doing up.
The 2nd option is soaking the slip ring brushes in WD 40 the alt should not go intermittent unless the brushes are intermittent stick the WD 40 straw in to plastic rear cover of alt.
Yes Lee is correct new brush pack is an option if the old brushes are below service limits id expect 100k miles though...
check alt with multi meter first borrow meter from mate or neighbour.

 

[ste2425]

Thanks all she's on 80K+ and most certainly has been clocked so id guess she's at the correct millage, but ill give everything a good clean and WD40 and let you know thanks.

 

[Lecook]

Thanks for the quick reply and item no.

So the voltage regulator is that what is meant to keep a smooth power supply, stop the strobing? Assuming my bearings are fine, need to check, it would be that and a brush kit if I was performing the refurb my self?

The voltage regulator is there to .. well... regulate the voltage lol...

The little black carbon rods are the brushes its all on piece of the voltage regulator... as pepo said check the basics first ie earths and cable connections, 100k is alot imo id say aroud the high 60 to 70k miles.

All in all if you make sure all your earths and connectors are good and free from fust/corrosion and you still have the problem id be looking at replacing the voltage regulator... then if you still have the same problems maybe you should look into having the battery serviced or replaced...

Im assuming where you say you heard the engine laboring means you wernt pulling major current from a subwoofer/amp ect as I used to make the lights pulse when the bass was turned up

Lee

 

[Pep0]

Hi Lee

I think the brushes are rated at 250k but the alt is run x2.5 times engine speed so life on Fiat 100k. But the brushes can stick on oil mist and debris especially if you run without under shields you will be lucky if you store the auto to have working brushes in the spring.

I've had four alts do more than 150k without any symptoms.

But the one on my sei only managed 65k water ingress after fording too deep immersion of hot bearings in water sucks in lots of water through seals... not me that did it prev owner.

if the brushes have lots of length leave the pack in kerosene overnight and jiggle before refitting. There is a service length somewhere.

 

[Lecook]

Hi Lee

I think the brushes are rated at 250k but the alt is run x2.5 times engine speed so life on Fiat 100k. But the brushes can stick on oil mist and debris especially if you run without under shields you will be lucky if you store the auto to have working brushes in the spring.

I've had four alts do more than 150k without any symptoms.

But the one on my sei only managed 65k water ingress after fording too deep immersion of hot bearings in water sucks in lots of water through seals... not me that did it prev owner.

if the brushes have lots of length leave the pack in kerosene overnight and jiggle before refitting. There is a service length somewhere.

Meh lol ive had 3 alternators go on me in 3 different centos in 3 years lol one at 76k one at 112k and one at 120k

Either way id just take the plunge and get the new reg for the sake of 11quid

 

[ycming]

Meh lol ive had 3 alternators go on me in 3 different centos in 3 years lol one at 76k one at 112k and one at 120k

Either way id just take the plunge and get the new reg for the sake of 11quid

Dude link me where to get one of them, they easy to change ?

 

[Pep0]

Yes they are easy to change getting the alt out is the difficult bit.

if they are worn below service limits replace otherwise brake cleaner or kerosene.

there was a link earlier in thread

the windings and bearings need to be ok as well

you can rebuild bearings with puller and hot air gun if you are poor

 

[Lecook]

Dude link me where to get one of them, they easy to change ?

Mate the ebay item number is in my first post theyre a piece of cake to change 20mins to get alternator off.. change regulator and refit seriously if I can do it yoy can man

Lee

 

[ycming]

mines function perfectly normal when above 1.2 rev, as soon as it drops below it goes to 12v , which is no good !

Ok will try this

Thanks
Ming

 

[Pep0]

might be the brushs remove the brush pack and inspect for sticky action or wear and a new brush pack might cure a problem other than worn brushes.

ask refurb specialist how much is other options

you have checked the connectors are good and the warning light is ok?

note mine generates volts at 650 rpm but are you using a standard pulley?

 

[ycming]

Yeah everything on the alternator as is.

I don't really trust the warning light, i just measure the voltage myself.

I guess bushes is not an off the shelf item you can buy ?

Ming

 

[Pep0]

The item to buy has been posted earlier by Lee

The wiring for the warning light needs to be good and connected. Does the light go off at 600 or 1200 rpm?

It is good to check with multimeter but why did you check?

It is a good bet to replace the brush pack but won't fix a damaged winding.

 

[Honeymonster]

You guys are lucky, I've had loads of these puppy's fail and very single one hs been bearing related. I have a mountain of these bad boys to repair if I ever get round to it. A diode pack is a walk in the park.

 

[blu73]

So i'm super lucky then, had 7 cento's and never had to change or repair an alternator..

*touch wood*

 

[Honeymonster]

So i'm super lucky then, had 7 cento's and never had to change or repair an alternator..

*touch wood*

You should be touching a forrest. I'm undecided of what has been causing the bearing failures, all the cars I've had have been low mileage compared to UK vehicles. Even the black Sei had a brand spanking new alternator on when I got him. I have a few theorys though, it could be lame garages overtightening the belts, maybe something to do with regular short trips or even the sea air, however corrosion on the rest of the cars has never really been an issue. Whatever it is Mrs. H's still needs a new one as we speak...

 

[blu73]

touch forest... lol, i like that.

 

[Pep0]

water ingress would destroy bearings hot alternator cold water suck.

wet roads and running without undershields

mine had been forded a fog had internal witness water line stains and crack in glass along line.