General Is my alternator dead?

[scoot]

Hi All,

I'm having trouble with our Cinq 900, when the son was driving it to wark early on a cold day last week; after starting OK, she got about 2 miles and died - lights, rear screen, Pioneer head unit and fan all on. He got a push start and got to work OK. Same happened on the way home.

We've had the battery light flickering for at least 2 years, due to having fitted a massive sub and amp I think - they are now removed, sometimes the light stays on, sometimes it goes off, but never a moments problem starting.

I've had the battery checked and it's OK, I've put a meter on the battery and it's about 12.5 volts when the car is not running, running it maintains the same 12.5 volts with no load, with the lights on / fan / heated screen on it drops to about 12.2 or 12.2 dependant on what and how many are on. I know it should be over 13 volts if the alternator is OK and hence I'm after confirmation this probably is the fault or if there are any other options.

Final thing; I have been told that there is brushes on the alternator that obviously wear and therefore could be the problem. I found a small cover on the back of the alternator held on by 2 small bolts. I couldn't manage to get the cover off and didn't want to force it. Does this cover the brushes? How does the cover come off? and is this a likely cause? It's certainly a cheaper option.

Thanks for reading this and for any replies.

Paul

 

[a1ant]

Hi,
Yes by the sounds of it your alternator is knackered. When the engine is on you should get a reading of around 13.8 to 15v to indicate that it is charging. It could well be the brushes, howver they can be very difficult to get to. Its probably better to swap it for a reconditioned one (most motor factors do this service).

Hope that helps,
Alan

 

[rallycinq]

It can also be the bearings breaking up causing the shaft to move and break contact with the bushes.

Replacing the alternator is the easiest option.

Cheers

D

 

[scoot]

Thanks,

I'll check out a recon or recon unit. We had a new unit a few years ago due to the Amp / sub problem and it cost nearly 100 quid!!

Thanks for the quick replies, we really like the car, it was my eldests first car, we use it as a spare car or when it's not practcal to use my moyorbike and now the youngest has adopted her and we all relly like driving her.

Paul

Paul

 

[levemircento]

yep, its goosed, but do check all its connections first including where it connects to the battery [perhaps via the starter motor +]

 

[scoot]

Sounds like I'll be looking for bad connection tomorrow -I hope it's not hissing down!!

Paul

 

[scoot]

Hi,

Thanks for the help it was the alternator £68 plus VAT and about an hour of playing contortionist to get my hands to the bottom bolt. It was actualy easier than I thought. I know it's only 2 bolts, one main connection and a black lead. Easy peasy.

Thanks for the help,

Paul

 

[scoot]

Hi Me again,

Two days after fitting the alternator the car died again today. The battery seemed totally furked so I've changed it but when I check the volts at the battery it's down to 12.5, when fitted it was closer to 14.5.

Is there anything else that could be causing the battery to drain and the output from my shiny new alternator to drop.

Thanks again,

Paul

 

[a1ant]

Hello mate,

The reading of 12.5 at the battery terminals, is that with the engine running?

Cheers,
Alan

 

[rallycinq]

Remove a lead from the battery and change your meter to amps. Put the meter between the terminal and the removed lead and make sure there is not a large draw on the battery.

Cheers

D

 

[scoot]

Hi Alan and Rallycinq,

12.5 volts with the engine running, I'll check for an engine load in a couple of days when I'm back from Belfast.

Thanks again,

Paul

 

[a1ant]

As its a new alternator that you have got in their , it may just be a loose connection between the battery and the alternator now. After you had fitted the new alternator did you check to see if it was giving you 13.8v+ ?

Cheers,
Alan

 

[rallycinq]

Hi Alan and Rallycinq,

I'll check for an engine load in a couple of days when I'm back from Belfast.

Thanks again,

Paul

Its an electrical load you are looking for, do not have the engine running.

Cheers

D

 

[scoot]

Hi Guys,

I'm just back from Belfast and hoping to get a chance to look at the car tomorrow evening. I've checked the starter motor connection but not the main earth point; a, I don't know where it is and b, I have to work on it in the dark due to my work and my sons who drives it. We are trickle charging it most days.
I will do the ampage test (not running) to see if there is a load of any kind, I thought if there is one I will remove fuses one at a time and hope the fault is indicated.
When the new alternator was fitted I was getting 14.5 volts accross the battery, we now get 12.5 ish.
The wife works in a garage and has got another new alternator, I'm not keen to fit it until I find if ther is an intermittent fault 'cos I don't want to potentially fry a second one.

Thanks again,

Paul

 

[scoot]

Hi,

Well, back from belfast and spent a couple of hours on the Conq this morning.

as said before it had a new battery a week ago, a new alternator 2 weeks ago; I checked the output from the alternator and only getting 12.25 volts accross the battery when running but 13.5 when not running from a newly re-charged battery.
I then put the meter on amps, disconneced the live and put the meter between battery and disconnected terminal and checked for a load. there was no leakage apart from when I switched something on - as expected.
So I have put on another new alternator that the missus got from the garage she works at instantly back to 14.6 volts with the motor running. I've checked all the circuits and no exceptional loads and indeed even with lights, wipers, heated rear screen running I still indicate 14.3 volts.
I am therfore optomistic the fault was the first recon alternator but as recent history would indicate, I will let the Son use the car and see how she performs.

Thanks again for the great help and diagnosis.

Paul

If you hear a scream from the Colchester area, it could be an indication that the alternator has gon t*ts up again and I will be well confused and a lot of money out of pocket.

 

[a1ant]

Lol glad you got it sorted mate!

Alan

 

[scoot]

Hi Alan,

Thanks, I am optomistic (again) but I was 2 weeks ago and she died shortly after. Fingers crossed.

I think we will have to start looking for a replacement car at some point but when she is going OK she is normally not a problem at all. I must say normally that she is never a problem and even though it's the cheapest car in the family we all enjoy driving her. I do fancy a sporting especially if lowered and with decent wheels etc.

Thanks again,

Paul

 

[scoot]

Hi All,

Finally got back from travels and got voltmeter o the battery; it's looking good 12.7 accross the battery without the engine running and 14.7 running. It's only 5 days but better tahn the last alternator which only lasted 2 days.
The first replacement is on it's way back to the supplier as faulty.

Cheers,

Paul

 

[a1ant]

Nice one, looking good! (fingers still crossed lol)

Alan

 

[scoot]

Cheers Alan,

The Son is so chuffed that the Cing is working again; we all miss her when she's not going right.

I'll give her a check over again at the weekend and uncross fingers before arthritis sets in.

Thanks,

Paul