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Old 09-11-2011, 05:40 PM   #1
mikey_something
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Alternator problem

Started the car this morning to go to work, turned over fine but took a whole to start because I had little to no petrol.
Reversed down driveway, sitting still on road with clutch in, straightened the wheels.
As I straightened the wheels the car shuddered and the Battery Charge and Handbrake lights came on simultaneously, and stayed on. I freaked that my brakes were about to let go on the hill so put it in gear and got going. Lights extinguished. Tested brakes and found to be fine so continued driving.
Came to a stop to turn corner, indicators on and the lights came back on flashing in time with the indicators.
Lights also came on with the windows going up and down, CD player being turned on, headlights (but not sidelights), and air conditioner.

So I googled that **** and got "alternator is bollocks'd".

But my research says that the lights should be on constantly. Mine only seem to come on under "load".

Does this still define effed alternator? Or does this mean perhaps a slipping belt?
Just trying to figure out what fresh hell I've driven into specifically.
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Old 09-11-2011, 05:42 PM   #2
mikey_something
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I'm on phone so excuse double post but battery seems to still be receiving at least a little charge because car has been fine to start several times. I've not been pushing my luck but. No music or aircon for me.
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Old 09-11-2011, 06:03 PM   #3
SLY 323
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I would believe slipping belt. Seems like a plausible cause. Check that also alternator connections are all okay and battery terminals are tight.

Otherwise alternator is bung if the belt is tight!
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Old 09-11-2011, 06:44 PM   #4
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Sounds like you've blown a diode in the altenator I'd have a reco unit put in sooner than later. When the red light is on then there is more negative at the altenator than at the battery so the battery is not being charged and you're running on the battery. This won't last too long.
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Old 09-11-2011, 07:30 PM   #5
mikey_something
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cosmo Dude View Post
Sounds like you've blown a diode in the altenator I'd have a reco unit put in sooner than later. When the red light is on then there is more negative at the altenator than at the battery so the battery is not being charged and you're running on the battery. This won't last too long.
ahhh devo.
i want to try and make it 600km more so i can make it to the first oil change post engine rebuild. but if i dont make it that far close enough will have to be good enough i guess.

oh well, cheers for confirming the worst


EDIT:
one last question about the BA alternator. Internally or externally regulated?

Last edited by mikey_something; 09-11-2011 at 08:12 PM.
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Old 09-11-2011, 09:27 PM   #6
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alternator and internal regulator and Peice of Mitsubishi item. Well not as bad as earlier Items but still not great units. But they do last at least 10 to 15 if not over heated often.
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Old 10-11-2011, 05:43 PM   #7
mikey_something
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small update, lights are now on constantly.
have a battery charger which i intend to use to push me to the next 500km then we'll go see mr mechanic.
as far as alternator costs + labour any ideas?
ebay wants to give me a new one for ~$200. Sound about right?
am i safe to get a reconditioned unit? i assume at a cheaper price, but without all the guarantees :/
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Old 10-11-2011, 10:22 PM   #8
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ebay ones are all questionable many chinese ones - not as good as fully rebuilt original.
Especially if it's just the reg and brushes your reco one is always going to last.

many of the aftermarket cheap replacements die in the heat. Especially the diodes in the rectifier
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Old 19-11-2011, 02:15 PM   #9
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RESOLVED!
Went over to a mates place and jacked the car up.
Bolt that holds the alternator connection on was loose (almost off).
Tightened and all is fine again.
Simple fix, $0. Couldn't be happier.
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Old 21-11-2011, 12:50 PM   #10
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Glad to see the issue resolved!
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Old 21-11-2011, 09:18 PM   #11
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if it only had one nut on it. it's proberly been done. Many don't put the 2nd nut back on. Depending on model. But alot of cars do have two nuts on it to stop it getting loose. When replaced many don't put it back on.
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