Technical Seized alternator?

[MadAlicesDad]

Thanks for all the replies and yes, there probably is loads to check.

This one was MOTd in September, dull lenses that the garage polished for free because they are brilliant (https://www.victoriarecovery.co.uk/), advisory on subframe rust and cracked tyre tread.
Btw I leave it in gear and handbrake off, then give it a good razzing to get the rust off. And I change the oil every 30k miles whether it needs it or not
It's defo not a pampered toy and owes us nothing as it gave my daughter freedom and relieved us from taxiing

I understand the potential problems leaving a car unused like this but since they went to uni, both daughter's cars had been left unused for weeks on end. They always came back to life despite being fiats

The one we scrapped was just a basket case money sink with random limp modes and warning lights, and we chose to keep just one for them both to use.

Tbh the remaining car is not needed for 80 to 90 % of the time, but we have it and if it works, it's useful.

If I can get it fixed I will but replacement isn't going to happen

Will let you know what happens once the weather improves.

PS regarding the name. ALICE is my youngest daughter. MADdie is her older sister. I'm the DAD .
It's nothing to do with mental state. But I did once changed the entire exhaust system on a Rover P6 V8 on the drive at -4C. But that was then...

PPS although the above is flippant, I don't ignore faults associated with safety

 

[steveras57]

Well i for one appreciate the humor element! some on here can be a little dour!

 

[steveras57]

We could swap rover stories at some point!-I like a p 6 but mine was a p5b coupe do i wish i still had it? christ have you seen the prices these days!!! think i sold mine £2500 and was glad to get that!! then there was the 800 from 1996 but that as they say is another story!

 

[MadAlicesDad]

The weather has improved and i had some time today.
Despite having to lie under the hedge I managed to jack up the drivers side, get the wheel off and remove the plastic covers. Moving the tensioner allowed me to get the belt off and once free the engine started and ran ok

So, back to the alternator. I couldn't turn it with a spanner or even a big Stillson and a hammer; it's properly seized and needs replacement. BUT, what's needed?

Unfortunately I put it back together without taking photos and there seem to be two designs of alternator available. One has the three mounting bolts parallel to the shaft (like this) and another has them perpendicular (like this).

It's a 2008 1.4 Sport. Any clues what is needed or do I need to get under the car again?

 

[jackwhoo]

What is the registration number?

 

[MadAlicesDad]

What is the registration number?

Never thought of that! I was looking for a used one, but maybe Autodoc or such can show what I actually need

 

[jackwhoo]

Never thought of that! I was looking for a used one, but maybe Autodoc or such can show what I actually need

I had a quick look ...... on line....... you would be very sensible to check which type is actually fitted !

 

[MadAlicesDad]

I had a quick look ...... on line....... you would be very sensible to check which type is actually fitted !

I usually take photos of everything I take apart (my Google photos timeline is incredibly bizarre!) but I didn't this time
Thanks for the hint though.

 

[John202020]

Does the car have AC ? Different ones for with and without it seems

 

[MadAlicesDad]

Does the car have AC ? Different ones for with and without it seems

It does have aircon.
I'll crawl back under it and see what's fitted

 

[steveras57]

It does have aircon.
I'll crawl back under it and see what's fitted

Hows it go again? oh yea! -measure twice !cut once! thats it!

 

[MadAlicesDad]

If it was a bespoke design, you're correct. This is a mass produced car. Gotta love Fiat...

 

[steveras57]

If it was a bespoke design, you're correct. This is a mass produced car. Gotta love Fiat...

And we do now dont we!?

 

[MadAlicesDad]

Quick update, it's fixed-ish.
I was able to get a squint at the alternator design and worked out which bolt hole type it was. Second hand alternator £50 delivered.
Next step, get it to the garage with no electrical power except what's in the battery. It's only 1/2 mile away so no real worries except lack of power steering. But the PS worked! How the hell does that happen when the first thing the charging system does when alternator charge is low is shed the steering irrespective of how dangerous that might be!!! But without the alternator the PS works fine. As I said before, gotta love Fiat...
Anyway it now it has a working alternator and a new timing belt and water pump.
Brakes had a work out with a couple of emergency stops and seem sharp and pull up evenly.
There's a bit of noise from the wheels that could be bearings but it could also be I'm used to a quiet car.
The duck bills was a good call regarding laying up a car for a few months. If only I'd thought of it earlier, but now it's all dry.

Anyway, all seemed good until I had a call from my daughter this afternoon. The clutch was playing up...

New post asking for advice coming...

PS I n the words of the garage man 'that alternator's proper XXXXed'. Absolutely seized solid with a crack in the casing!

 

[steveras57]

Quick update, it's fixed-ish.
I was able to get a squint at the alternator design and worked out which bolt hole type it was. Second hand alternator £50 delivered.
Next step, get it to the garage with no electrical power except what's in the battery. It's only 1/2 mile away so no real worries except lack of power steering. But the PS worked! How the hell does that happen when the first thing the charging system does when alternator charge is low is shed the steering irrespective of how dangerous that might be!!! But without the alternator the PS works fine. As I said before, gotta love Fiat...
Anyway it now it has a working alternator and a new timing belt and water pump.
Brakes had a work out with a couple of emergency stops and seem sharp and pull up evenly.
There's a bit of noise from the wheels that could be bearings but it could also be I'm used to a quiet car.
The duck bills was a good call regarding laying up a car for a few months. If only I'd thought of it earlier, but now it's all dry.

Anyway, all seemed good until I had a call from my daughter this afternoon. The clutch was playing up...

New post asking for advice coming...

PS I n the words of the garage man 'that alternator's proper XXXXed'. Absolutely seized solid with a crack in the casing!

Job well done! onwards!!!

 

[Baglady1990]

FYI … when I replaced my alternator a couple of years ago the updated model number is DAN999 that’s for a brand new one …annd with no surcharge! And anv on eBay … unless you want to put in a 2nd hand one!?
The only way I could get mine out was while I was replacing my A/C compressor…. Any other way was looking like a mission!