Is my alternator on the JTD on the way out?

[Stu]

Battery kept going flat before xmas, fair play i thought, battery been on since car was born so probably past it.

Bought a new bosch battery and all has been fine.

Until today, the starter motor turned loads before she actually fired up. Im thinking that the alternator could be on the way out?

I do have 2 amps in the car, one 4 channel and one 2 channel, which i do imagine saps a bit of juice, but i wouldnt have thought that it would have flattened the new battery already?!

Any help / comments welcome.

Thanks

Stu

 

[Anonymous]

If the battery turned the engine ok, i can't see its the fault of the alternator? Does the light go out on the dash? or does it just go dim? A rough check is to put the headlights on while ticking over, just rev a bit and the lights should go brighter if alternator charging

 

[Sven]

Use a multimeeter and measure the voltage on the battery poles while the car is running. It should show 13V or more.

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[Stu]

Well after purchasing an alternator tester from Aldi for 1.99 i have discovered that my alternator is 'charging ok'

The 'charging ok' light goes out though when really loud bass kicks in and all electrical drains are on - but i presume this is normal?!

This then raises the question of why the car turns over loads sometimes before she fires?

She has just had an oil and filter change...

Any suggestions?

Stu

 

[kirk]

cud be glow plugs?fuel pump? Fuel filter? My reckonin its the glow plug? When was they last changed? Do you know?

 

[Anonymous]

if its the glow plugs then chances are the glow plug warning light will come on, one of my glow plugs wasnt working and the warning light would flash even though the car would start and run fine. re the fuel pump you should be able to hear it come on when the car fuels up when you switch the ignition on, so listen for that or it could be on the way out and of course the obvious if the car needs servicing aswell

 

[Anonymous]

well that explains it, glow plug think has been flashing for ages but i read that this made no difference (as car usually started and ran no problems!!)

Will get them changed!

Thanks guys!

 

[Stu]

Well guess what, car wouldnt start this morning!

Used my battery tester and the battery is only like 60%

Tis a brand new bosch battery too so my alternator must not be charging properly??

I know tommy K had issues with his JTD alternator? can he help? I know its a pig of a job!

Would a power cap for my amps and things help? maybe the audio is draining to much power than the alternator can create?

Any help appreciated!

Stu

 

[Sven]

Stu - start the car with and measure the voltage on the battery poles. If its over 13,3 or more volts, the alternator is OK.
One other thing, what is the capacity (Ah) of the battery you have put in ?

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[stu]

Hi Sven,

Well the alternator charger i have says it is above 13.3 and is 'charging ok'

the battery i bought was a bosch one from Costco and i used the chart thing to find which battery i needed. I will check its rating tomorrow when light.

I wonder if it something is draining the battery when its stood overnight - i read on an old post that someones boot light was staying on and draing the batt. Will have to check.

Thanks mate

Stu

 

[Anonymous]

The boot light drained my battery more than once

 

[Anonymous]

1st check all electrics if somethings draining the battery, anything new electric wise on the car recently? when my alternator went it was kindof working bt when the car was off the alternator itself was draining the battery, so worth checking ur alternator if it is warm 1st thing before u start ur car

gaz

 

[Stu]

thanks for all the info guys

the battery is as follows:

Bosch Silver Plus

600A (EN) 61Ah

Sound about right?

Will check the alternator, see if shes warm!

Stu

 

[Anonymous]

I think the alternators have a diode fitted to stop current going back

 

[Sven]

Anon may have a point here, alternators do have diodes, and if they fail, the battery gets drained, but charges OK. If the battery is new, go to the place you bought it and say its getting drained, so you think its battery related, they should send you to their testing partner and he should test if the battery is OK with what he will also test the alternator.

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