Electrical issues

[ed4ferrets]

On the motorway Sunday night and lights start getting dimmer etc. Warning light did not come on at all. I managed to pull off at services where I confirmed there was no charge, also once engine was turned off it wouldn't turn over again. I noticed with ignition on that the charge light was not on with the other red lights??.

Auto-aid turns up 2hours later, jump start and now alternator decides to charge again. Not far down the motorway the whole thing starts again but this time the charge light faintly flickering barely visible. Managed to drive 80 miles like this.... arriving home with virtually no lights at all.

Is it time to fit my spare alternator or could there be other sinister factors at work here?

[BXrunner]

You could try the brushes or regulator pack inside the alternator to see if they're ok chances are they need replacing

[ed4ferrets]

Just my luck, the spare has a 4 groove pulley!

Are pulleys interchangeable or can a 4 groove belt be used ie same size/width groove as the wider belt?

Also sitting with the flat battery with no charger handy.... could an adaptor/tranformer be cobbled up as a charger?

[ed4ferrets]

Jon, PM sent.
Cheers

[docchevron]

I have spare valver alternators, and no doubt diesel alternators, all in stock at the cow factory.

Pulleys are interchangable, but the nut can be a bit of a pain to undo and do up unless you have a rattle gun at hand!

Either way, if you need an alternator mate you're welcome to one gratis.

[ed4ferrets]

Cheers Chris, no rattlegun so will take up your offer of a 5 groove olly, Jon will no doubt be in touch regarding this.

Battery is being charged as I peck away at the keyboard but I will only use the TD very local until the alternator is sorted. Hmmmm, hope the battery is okay after the ordeal Sun/Mon!!

[docchevron]

No worries mate.

I need to speak to Jon about bits anyway, so it could all work out rather well.
I still have some P1 wing flairs and the such for him aswell!

[ed4ferrets]

Ha, so you're lurking with intent again

Please pm me your mob/landline numbers, must be on a previous phone rather than on sim for some stooopid reason. Cheers

[docchevron]

PM sendage has occured.

[DLM]

Hi Ed - just one more thing I'd check - what's the state of the leads to/from the alternator? Had similar symptoms when picking up my Silver Machine last year, and found a rotten wire, frazzled by heat as it didn't have any thermal insulation, and only hanging on by a thread.

[ed4ferrets]

Hi Dave, all wiring seems to be intact .... what still puzzles me is the light not coming on at all when the problem occurred originally, just dim headlights, slow wipers etc Even the ABS light came on eventually (low voltage?)but not the darn warning light grrr

[DavidRutherford]

Hi Dave, all wiring seems to be intact .... what still puzzles me is the light not coming on at all when the problem occurred originally, just dim headlights, slow wipers etc Even the ABS light came on eventually (low voltage?)but not the darn warning light grrr

If your brushes have worn out, then the lamp won't come on at all, as the circuit is made with the brushes.

As I've explained to people with failed alternators before, the lamp coming on before you start the car is the most significant aspect of it's function.

[ed4ferrets]

If your brushes have worn out, then the lamp won't come on at all, as the circuit is made with the brushes.

As I've explained to people with failed alternators before, the lamp coming on before you start the car is the most significant aspect of it's function.

Ahhh that reminds me, the other mystery is that the lamp does NOT come on before starting, noticed that whilst stuck at services or is the circuit made by the brushes at that stage too?