Bongo Fury

Hi all,

Had a few problems with intermittent starting, flat/low battery. Have done he following.

1. Disconnected leisure batt to make sure not faulty split charge.
2. Replaced the starter motor solenoid.
3. New batts.
4. Checked all connections.
5. Checked for parasitic drain.

Last check was the alternator output. And on the multimeter it is only reading 12.6 volts.

Therefore I assume it is a faulty alternator. I will check the belts are tight, and double check connections etc.

As it is intermittent should I assume it is the regulator and can these be replaced easily?

Would rather recondition then buy a new/2nd hand one.

Thanks

C

Which engine is it ?
Also normally the charge light would be on if the alternator has failed?

2.5diesel.

Would the light always be on?

If the alternator is not generating then yes the lamp comes on, in a diesel the sediment light will also appear at the same time (its actually a check for the lamp itself as the sediment trap has no self test facility).

How did you measure the 12.6 volts that looks very much like the battery itself alone ?

Does the Charge lamp light, before the engine is started? If it doesn't then the lamp may be blown/faulty/not present!

The charge lamp goes on.

I measured the battery at 12.5v before turning on the engine.

Then measured again when the engine was on at less than 13v. It did go up to 12.9 I think as maximum.

Might it be generating a current, but a low one.

C

Yes it could be just about generating if the the battery voltage rises to 13volts or so, there are conditions that the single test circuit can't detect, like a single diode going open circuit in the pack. So it does indeed point towards the alternator as you would expect the voltage to rise to 14-14.4 in normal operation.

It is obviously struggling.

Can I repair the diode? Or whatever has gone.

C

Its normal to get the alternator refurbished locally, or do an exchange, but replacements are also available see http://www.startermotor-alternator-stor ... -516-c.asp

When the alternator diode pack went on my V6 the ignition light would stay on until around 2000rpm then go off ..

But when metering it out, even at those revs and the ignition light off .. it was not actually producing any lecky to charge the battery ..

Most alternator places should have the (usually Mitsubishi or Hitachi) diode pack on the shelf .. the Walsall Company who did mine (mates rates though) charged me £20 including fitting the 'pack' / cleaning and spraying the alternator body like new ..

Or it may be the slip ring .. once again for a decent recon. place, a simple while you wait fix ..

dante231 wrote:The charge lamp goes on.

I measured the battery at 12.5v before turning on the engine.

Then measured again when the engine was on at less than 13v. It did go up to 12.9 I think as maximum.

Might it be generating a current, but a low one.

C

You really need to measure both the voltage and current.
I have seen this a few times and its been a poor earth connection that's made it fail so best check that first.
A good local auto elec man should be able to test it for free, my local motor factor will