How do I check Alternator output?

[.Mark]

On my Serpentine Chimaera?
Wife went to take it to work today and noticed the heater blower wasn't working. When I went to have a look I noticed the battery light in the dash was on too.
I'm not sure if they are related and time was pressing on so she used one of the other cars but I need to take a look at it.
The 'fan belt' was slipping a bit too which could account to the light being on but I'd like to check what the alternator is kicking out.

Can anyone tell me where to stick the multi-meter in simple to understand instructions, better still, any photo's? I know M@ was under there with a camera a little while ago.

[Pies]

Put the red lead on the pin (on alternator) with the thick cables on.Theses are very thick compared to any other cables they might even be taped together.

Put the black lead on a good earth ie engine

Take reading

[.Mark]

Cheers Pies.
Now as soon as I can get my meter fixed I'll have a look at it. Never rains but it pours etc. etc. etc.

[Bassfiend]

.Mark said:

Cheers Pies. Now as soon as I can get my meter fixed I'll have a look at it. Never rains but it pours etc. etc. etc.

Drop me a mail back Mark - if I'm close to you I have a meter I can run over to you.

Phil

[.Mark]

Nice one Phil, a most generous offer.
I'm on Hayling Island - not sure where you are?
My meter only needs some batteries which I'll pick up in the morning, any more problems with it and I'll definately drop you a line.

The power of PistonHeads never ceases to amaze me.

[Boosted LS1]

You put an electrode on each nipple and start her up Don't do this to your wife unless you've asked before hand. My wife still won't hold spark plugs for me, don't know why. Tiz not much to ask when you've only got 8. He he. As if I would.

[bassfiend]

.Mark said:

Nice one Phil, a most generous offer. I'm on Hayling Island - not sure where you are? My meter only needs some batteries which I'll pick up in the morning, any more problems with it and I'll definately drop you a line. The power of PistonHeads never ceases to amaze me.

Hayling Island would be a "pleasant run" for me (Winchester) but no problem getting one over to you if you need it ... wasn't far from there at the weekend - popped over to Worthing to meet "Big Al" and his missus. Superb couple - friendly as you like and made us feel really welcome. Top bloke!

Phil

[.Mark]

Big Al - Top chap.

Moving my problem forward, alternator output is 14+V so that is good, I also noticed that apart from the battery light and the fan blower not working the fuel guage wasn't working and neither was the oil pressure guage.
Did a quick search on here and found fuse 14 is the culprit, sure enough replaced that and all is well - until you switch the fan blower on and the fuse blows.

Nothing has been touched since it was last parked up and working fine so any ideas out there?

[Big Al.]

ooooh shucks guy's.

Hope you get it sorted soon .Mark, might want move the post and expand it, on Gen TVR gossip. You might get a few inputs from the Griff boys. Just a thought! Just give me a shout.

Phil, hopefully I'll do your scanning tomorrow. OH

[.Mark]

OK Al, move it over, I'd be most grateful.

Not sure if I should use the car or not till it's fixed, I can live without the fan, calculate how much fuel I've got by keeping an eye on the odometer, and if the oil pressure gets low then the yellow light will come on.
I'm just not sure

[bassfiend]

I had a similar problem on my old 200SX - turn on the fan and the fuse would go - it was after the car had been parked up unused for a month while I was off galavanting in Florida.

Turned out to be that the motor bearings had started to seize and although they would *just* turn under their own power they were stiff and the motor just drew too much current ... bit of WD40 and spinning by hand, then a bit of silicone lubricant sorted out the bearings and the fuse blowing.

Phil

[Big Al.]

I'd take it on a nice long uncongested run up to Fernies and let the boy's have a look at it.

Ed to Add
Removed my reference about the wrong cooling fans:

>> Edited by Big Al. on Thursday 6th November 08:50

[Apache]

why dontcha replace the fuse and refrain from using the fan till you can get a garage to bung a new fan motor in?

[.Mark]

Apache said:

why dontcha replace the fuse and refrain from using the fan till you can get a garage to bung a new fan motor in?

That's exactly what I was thinking.

It's up at Fernies shortly for some paintwork and clutch master cylinder, I'll get them to check it out then, I'm not sure I'd know where to find let alone how to get to the motor, isn't it in the inner wing somewhere???

[RAW-SEWedge]

Sounds like you fan is seized or there is something stuck in it like a twig. Not quite sure about chims but on my Griff there is no filter to stop the fan sucking in twigs etc.

You might want to have a look at the heater unit if you feel inclined and see if there is anything obvious blocking it. It going to take some grovelling about in the foot well most likely.