Knackered alternator - how far can I go / driving advice
Discussion
Raize said:
The vast majority of current draw will be from the fuel pump rather than the spark plugs. In most cars the fuel pump delivers fuel at a constant rate which is then returned to the tank if not injected.
Good point, thank you.As for economy, mine is up 5% over the fill up before, same sort of driving, but this is well within normal tolerance. If your alternator failed such that resistance decreased (i.e. it spins freely), then economy will improve due to reduced friction.
TooMany2cvs said:
A small amount is going to be rev-based (fuel injection, sparks), but most is going to be time-based (engine management, dash, ABS etc).
The fuel pump will be the main draw I think. I comfortably made it 35 miles in one of my cars a couple of weeks ago, battery voltage had dropped to 11.8v by the time I arrived. Make sure you have the fan/ac off etc. and don't stall it. Try and beg or borrow a spare battery if you can. Quite often there's nothing wrong with the alternator but actually the regulator, It's usually the bearings that knacker an alternator.
Especially as it sounds like the power is fluctuating which would lead me to suspect a faulty regulator.
The bonus is that you can replace many regulators without removing the alternator. Assuming yours is a Bosch one then get this Alfa 156 regulator ordered!
Especially as it sounds like the power is fluctuating which would lead me to suspect a faulty regulator.
The bonus is that you can replace many regulators without removing the alternator. Assuming yours is a Bosch one then get this Alfa 156 regulator ordered!
Edited by GTIR on Saturday 7th June 04:51
trashbat said:
es and no.
It's an Alfa 156. The alternator on this is squirreled away and seems to requires dropping the subframe or removing the head, depending whether you go at it from top or bottom. This makes it maybe a four hour job.
What's that got to do with it? Well I was due to have the engine rebuilt (prior to some further work) in just a few weeks at the specialist, so it saves a significant sum combining the jobs.
Fair do's, take it steady and hope for the best It's an Alfa 156. The alternator on this is squirreled away and seems to requires dropping the subframe or removing the head, depending whether you go at it from top or bottom. This makes it maybe a four hour job.
What's that got to do with it? Well I was due to have the engine rebuilt (prior to some further work) in just a few weeks at the specialist, so it saves a significant sum combining the jobs.
Amusingly yesterday I went for the first start of my mate's Nova Turbo after refitting the engine after getting the 'bay painted. Connected battery and a HUGE plume of smoke engulfed everything. Battery off, underneath to find the ground wire has melted and practically vapourised.
Decided as the case was 12V and some diode testing the alt. was dead (also battery light on without ignition). Normally one has to pop the o/s shaft out to drop an alternator on a 'big block' Nova (easy with equal length), but this one wasn't having it so I had to split the alternator down whilst it was wedged behind the engine leaning on the steering rack. Swapped the guts from another (casing is all chromed) and rebuilt, again whilst hanging above my head. Very simple easy to work on design.
I guess you can't do that with a modern multi vee, internal fan one.
Decided as the case was 12V and some diode testing the alt. was dead (also battery light on without ignition). Normally one has to pop the o/s shaft out to drop an alternator on a 'big block' Nova (easy with equal length), but this one wasn't having it so I had to split the alternator down whilst it was wedged behind the engine leaning on the steering rack. Swapped the guts from another (casing is all chromed) and rebuilt, again whilst hanging above my head. Very simple easy to work on design.
I guess you can't do that with a modern multi vee, internal fan one.
Travelling from Brive, Southern France to Calais in Mondeo 2007 130 diesel, progressive failures of hydraulics from AC and other stuff, then to the electrics, led to some anxiety! Would I make the port, struggle onto the boat?
Though finally without all facilities, dashboard indications, engine contonued well, though rough but brakes fine, would I just make it? Brakes still good, last to be sacrificed. Yes, I almost; the French Border control passed; ever been so glad to see French customs? On to the UK counterpart, carefully avoiding a stall, it died 20 metres before the UK border force! A chance of 1 in 9000. Pushed to the side ( that's good for Border Force 'officials', but they did it with good grace) it was handed over to the RAC Recovery team for - with owner? - repair or repatriation. The outcome awaited as I write.
Though finally without all facilities, dashboard indications, engine contonued well, though rough but brakes fine, would I just make it? Brakes still good, last to be sacrificed. Yes, I almost; the French Border control passed; ever been so glad to see French customs? On to the UK counterpart, carefully avoiding a stall, it died 20 metres before the UK border force! A chance of 1 in 9000. Pushed to the side ( that's good for Border Force 'officials', but they did it with good grace) it was handed over to the RAC Recovery team for - with owner? - repair or repatriation. The outcome awaited as I write.
nyt said:
I once drove back from Germany without a working alternator.
If there's no rain and you don't run with headlights then you should be alright imho
I did Braunschweig to Utrecht once without alternator. Had to hit the brakes and it decided to come back on line so got back to UK and home OK.If there's no rain and you don't run with headlights then you should be alright imho
Last year I id about 300 miles in France without realizing the message on the screen was 'failed alternator', and car died in central Lyon at rush hour.
Was quite scary.
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