Bongo Fury

Hi all,

I have the Charge and Sediment lights on this morning for first time so sounds like I need to get the Alternator checked/replaced looking at above sticky thread.
One quick query linked to this if i may? I have a mason alarm and when accelerating or driving this morning (with the sed and charge lights on) the temp gauge rises, sticks at around 10 past the hour in terms of a position and as soon as I'm iddling in traffic the temp gauge drops back down to normal level (just over 12 o clock position). Is this just a by product of the potential Alternator issue? There were no overheating issues at all but this is noticably a higher position for the temp gauge than previous journeys when the warning lights were not illuminated. I'm quietly confident about the cooling system. Had 2 hoses, Rad and Water pump changed this year already

Thanks all.

sleepwalker wrote:Hi all,

I have the Charge and Sediment lights on this morning for first time so sounds like I need to get the Alternator checked/replaced looking at above sticky thread.
One quick query linked to this if i may? I have a mason alarm and when accelerating or driving this morning (with the sed and charge lights on) the temp gauge rises, sticks at around 10 past the hour in terms of a position and as soon as I'm iddling in traffic the temp gauge drops back down to normal level (just over 12 o clock position). Is this just a by product of the potential Alternator issue? There were no overheating issues at all but this is noticably a higher position for the temp gauge than previous journeys when the warning lights were not illuminated. I'm quietly confident about the cooling system. Had 2 hoses, Rad and Water pump changed this year already

Thanks all.

I assume belts are there and turning the water pump and alternator properly?

thanks i will have to check that. It was a 6 mile journey to work with combination of motorway and 30 mile an hour driving in traffic.

I hope so

check the wiring off the alternator, the wires for the temp sensor come off the same bit of the loom before it goes over the top of the rocker cover to the temp sensor on the off side front of the head. if the wires at the alternator have been disturbed (bust belt maybe) it may have pulled the wires to the temp sensor. check/clean the temp sensor wire.

Thanks i will check this out. Booked into garage wednesday in case alternator needed. My estimate on work journey was way out . Its more like 14 miles so near 30 there and back and no overheating so guessing the mason temp movement must be linked to voltage issues. Have searched on here and found one or 2 references to dodgy alternator causing temp gauge to read high when a mason is in place so hopefully thats not a worry now. Thanks again

The temp gauge is voltage sensitive and the addition of the Mason alarm will increase the effects. If the alternator regulator is on its way out, the voltage would be proportional to the engine speed so the readings fluctuation would make sense. Of course, lack of both alternator belts would also result in no charge and increasing temperature.

checked by garage and looks like alternator is kaput and not charging correctly. This morning i had a new dashboard light showing too. The 4wd/ABS yellow light was appearing on acceleration and going out when foot off the gas??

You should not continue driving it until alternator is fixed as parts of the electronics will start to misbehave including the ABS and the gearbox ECU which could leave you stranded anywhere.

Thanks simon. The van is safely at the garage now ready for alternator tomorrow. Luckily garage is only few minutes drive away. I wont be driving it now until new alternator is on.

do a search on the forum, there are a few undersized alternators out there that may not last too well, its advised to fit the correct amps one.

Thanks all for responses. New Alternator fitted and all fine now. Engine management lights have gone out.