Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

BX Tech talk
Post Reply
jhunt
New Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:01 pm
Location: Northampton

Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by jhunt »

Can anyone advise please? I have just driven from Northampton to London and back (70 miles each way). On the way back in the dark, lights were getting dimmer and when I stopped in Northampton she only started by pushing. Lights almost completely out and would not start again. I don't think the battery would have suddenly packed up (or would it) but is obviously just not charging.
I am not very mechanical and if there is anyone in Northamptonshire who does maintenance please let me know. I am very fond of the old gal and would hate to have to let her go.

Thanks
John
User avatar
citsncycles
Over 2k
Posts: 3224
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:14 pm
Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by citsncycles »

First obvious question - is the belt driving the alternator OK? Then check the connections on the battery and the alternator, and the engine earth strap (usually bolts somewhere near the battery clamp). After that, I'd go for changing the alternator.
Mike Sims
BX 19RD Estate Mk1 - Timex!
BX 4X4 Estate - Oh god, I've done it again!
BX 17RD MK1 - it called to me!
BX14 TGE, - SOLD
XM Turbo SD,GS Club Estate,Visa 17D Leader,HY Pickup,Dyane Nomad,Dyane 6,2CV AZL,Falcon S,Trabant P50,3x Land Rovers (88" series 1,109" series 2a FFR,series 2a Marshall ambulance),DKW F7, Lambretta LD150 x 1.5,Mobylette SP93,Ural Cossack,Ural M63,CZ 250 Sport,Honda Varadero 125,lots of bicycles & tricycles including (but not only) Sunbeams,Higgins & Bates!
rutter123
Over 2k
Posts: 2695
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:54 pm
Location: South Lincs
My Cars: 90 Bx Tzd turbo ven red 295k
74 D Super 5 black
05 Volvo V50 2.0d 180k
65 Peugeot Boxer work van 280k
x 136

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by rutter123 »

put a multi meter across the battery terminals with the engine running, u should see somewhere above 13.5v then your battery is charging ok. if not i would suspect the alternator. cheap enough on the bay.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
jhunt
New Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:01 pm
Location: Northampton

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by jhunt »

Thanks

Will try both tomorrow.
User avatar
MULLEY
Over 2k
Posts: 8406
Joined: Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:10 pm
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: 1999 Xsara LX 2.0HDI (90) Hatch - Fern
2002 C5 2.0 HDI (110) Estate - Jasmine - SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - SORN
1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired - SORN
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
x 8

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by MULLEY »

Sounds like the alternator is shagged. Have you check to make sure the belt hasn't snapped off? The alternatoer also has a connector which should be easy to pull off, check to see if that's corroded, if it is give it a good clean & put it back on & take it off a few times to clean the connections up. Use a hammer by whacking it on the top of the alternator, avoid any plastic parts, they'll go kah-ping & then you'll have a sad face. If none of these work, then its new alternator time, luckily they aren't expensive & are very simple to fit :)
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

I'm not just a username, i'm also called Matthew.
jhunt
New Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:01 pm
Location: Northampton

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by jhunt »

Thanks a lot

john
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15565
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 141

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by Tim Leech »

if it is the alternator they are not a difficult job to fit to be honest and as mentioned you can get one for sensible money.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
User avatar
Tim Leech
Over 2k
Posts: 15565
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:12 am
Location: Derbyshire
My Cars: Various
x 141

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by Tim Leech »

dont be tempted to go to halfords for such things though as they are highway robbery!
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
Tinkley
1K Away
Posts: 1502
Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:27 am
Location: N Hants England
x 8

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by Tinkley »

I'll second 'whacking' it with a hammer as a temporary fix - trouble is you don't know when it will fail!'
I picked up a genuine Valeo for about 50 quid exchange from one of the decent factors a couple of years ago.
KevR
1K Away
Posts: 1767
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 8:46 pm
Location: Normandy
My Cars: It's all in my signature
x 4

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by KevR »

If it's not charging and the charging light's not coming on then I'd suggest it's the brushes/slip rings that are worn out and or just dirty and not making good contact. If the whacking it with a hammer trick works temporarily then you could probably get another five years out of it just by changing the brushes - only costs a couple of quid and easy enough if you've got a fairly hefty soldering iron.
1990 BX TZD Estate ('the grey one', 1991 BX TZD Estate ('the white one'), 1982 2CV6 Charleston (in bits), 1972 AZU Serie B (2CV van), 1974 HY72 Camper, 1990 Land Rover 110 diesel LWB, 1957 Mobylette AV76, 1992 Ducati 400SS, 1966 VW Beetle, 1990 Mazda MX-5, 1996 Peugeot 106D, 1974 JCB 2D MkII, 1997 BMW R1100RS, 1987 Suzuki GSX-R1100, 1978 Honda CX500A, 1965 Motobecane Cady, 1988 Honda Bros/Africa Twin, 1963 Massey Ferguson 825, and a lot of bicycles!
rutter123
Over 2k
Posts: 2695
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:54 pm
Location: South Lincs
My Cars: 90 Bx Tzd turbo ven red 295k
74 D Super 5 black
05 Volvo V50 2.0d 180k
65 Peugeot Boxer work van 280k
x 136

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by rutter123 »

i picked up a bnib o/e pug 406 (slightly heavier duty 5 rib pulley) )alternator off the bay for £30 + p/p, so for that is it really worth messing round with brushes etc? plenty of bargains about.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
KevR
1K Away
Posts: 1767
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 8:46 pm
Location: Normandy
My Cars: It's all in my signature
x 4

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by KevR »

Well, depends really - if you can get new brushes for a couple of quid, then that's £28 plus post that can go on beer/curry/whatever....
1990 BX TZD Estate ('the grey one', 1991 BX TZD Estate ('the white one'), 1982 2CV6 Charleston (in bits), 1972 AZU Serie B (2CV van), 1974 HY72 Camper, 1990 Land Rover 110 diesel LWB, 1957 Mobylette AV76, 1992 Ducati 400SS, 1966 VW Beetle, 1990 Mazda MX-5, 1996 Peugeot 106D, 1974 JCB 2D MkII, 1997 BMW R1100RS, 1987 Suzuki GSX-R1100, 1978 Honda CX500A, 1965 Motobecane Cady, 1988 Honda Bros/Africa Twin, 1963 Massey Ferguson 825, and a lot of bicycles!
jhunt
New Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:01 pm
Location: Northampton

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by jhunt »

Thanks for help.

I am going to play safe and get an alternator. Will try Ebay but if any better ideas then let me know.

Cheers

John
Dominic
Confirmed BX'er
Posts: 42
Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 1:59 pm

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by Dominic »

The brushes really are incredibly easy to change and cheap too - I don't recall any soldering when I changed mine, or I'd probably have avoided do it - any decent auto-electrics place will do them. I'd be tempted to try that first.
Dom
91 TZD
02 Picasso HDI
'12 DS5
83 Moto Morini 500
70 Fiat 850 Spider
Anything that turns money into noise...
jhunt
New Member
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 11:01 pm
Location: Northampton

Re: Alternator problem with BX 19 TDX?

Post by jhunt »

thanks
john
Post Reply