Alternator not charging
Discussion
Hi All!
I have a question about the alternator on my '96 Chim 400, and the fact that it's not charging my battery!
There's no apparent cause. The alternator is only 2 yrs old and the battery is less than 6 months old.
It all started after the battery was (accidentally) fully discharged with the car off the road. The battery was recharged using a CTEK as the car is not in use, it was when the car had to be moved the red light on the speedo came on and a voltmeter in the power socket revealed the battery is not receiving charge.
Does anybody know what the likely cause(s) might be? I've heard something about a 100A fuse going but not all of these cars have them?
Please help!
Many thanks
I have a question about the alternator on my '96 Chim 400, and the fact that it's not charging my battery!
There's no apparent cause. The alternator is only 2 yrs old and the battery is less than 6 months old.
It all started after the battery was (accidentally) fully discharged with the car off the road. The battery was recharged using a CTEK as the car is not in use, it was when the car had to be moved the red light on the speedo came on and a voltmeter in the power socket revealed the battery is not receiving charge.
Does anybody know what the likely cause(s) might be? I've heard something about a 100A fuse going but not all of these cars have them?
Please help!
Many thanks
test the Alternator itself, not at the battery, with a multimeter positive to the red cable and negative to the body of the alternator. if your getting voltage there then check the 100 amp fuse on the chassis rail near the starter. if your getting nothing you might well have a goosed regulator
Discopotatoes said:
test the Alternator itself, not at the battery, with a multimeter positive to the red cable and negative to the body of the alternator. if your getting voltage there then check the 100 amp fuse on the chassis rail near the starter. if your getting nothing you might well have a goosed regulator
Thanks for the tip, I'll have a go!Easy tests.
1. get a multimeter. Around £20.
2. Put it on the 20 volts scale.
3. Check what voltage your battery has.
4. If less than 12.6 volts, charge it up.
5. Start engine.
6. Take multimeter and check the alternator with the engine running.
7. If you can find 13.6 volts by putting your red lead into the hole at the back of the alternator, black lead eathed on the engine, then your alternator is working.
8. If your voltmeter in the fag lighter is saying around 12 volts, or your battery only reads around 12 volts, then your 100 amp fuse is broken.
9. Turn the engine off
10. Jack up the driver's side front, insert an axle stand and wriggle underneath.
11. You will find the 100 amp fuse by following the cable down from the alternator - it's attached to the chassis near the lower rear attachment of the driver's side front wishbone.
12. Take the fuse out of the black plastic holder - it's either an 8 or 10mm socket.
13. If it is broken, it will be obvious.
1. get a multimeter. Around £20.
2. Put it on the 20 volts scale.
3. Check what voltage your battery has.
4. If less than 12.6 volts, charge it up.
5. Start engine.
6. Take multimeter and check the alternator with the engine running.
7. If you can find 13.6 volts by putting your red lead into the hole at the back of the alternator, black lead eathed on the engine, then your alternator is working.
8. If your voltmeter in the fag lighter is saying around 12 volts, or your battery only reads around 12 volts, then your 100 amp fuse is broken.
9. Turn the engine off
10. Jack up the driver's side front, insert an axle stand and wriggle underneath.
11. You will find the 100 amp fuse by following the cable down from the alternator - it's attached to the chassis near the lower rear attachment of the driver's side front wishbone.
12. Take the fuse out of the black plastic holder - it's either an 8 or 10mm socket.
13. If it is broken, it will be obvious.
Edited by QBee on Friday 9th December 16:42
Found this posted in 2009
Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Not sure if all years are the same but on my 96/7 it has 2x 100 amp fuses. One in the foot well by the fuse box (this failed in France for some reason - lesson keep the spare in the cockpit). The second by the filter underneath of chassis.
Both easily changeable & worth carrying spares
May be worth checking if you have 2 also
Wednesday 23rd December 2009
Not sure if all years are the same but on my 96/7 it has 2x 100 amp fuses. One in the foot well by the fuse box (this failed in France for some reason - lesson keep the spare in the cockpit). The second by the filter underneath of chassis.
Both easily changeable & worth carrying spares
May be worth checking if you have 2 also
Gents,
Thought you'd be interested to know that I've located the 100amp fuse and it is as expected broken clean in two, so thanks for the pointers on that.
On my car it is actually bolted to the side of the engine, not the chassis, but if you follow the cable it only goes one way so there was nothing else it could be really.
Interestingly though I can't determine if the alternator is functioning normally, I've taken a multimeter to it and can't get a conclusive reading despite several attempts.
The real test will be when the replacement fuse goes back in, so we'll see what happens.
Many thanks for the tips.
Thought you'd be interested to know that I've located the 100amp fuse and it is as expected broken clean in two, so thanks for the pointers on that.
On my car it is actually bolted to the side of the engine, not the chassis, but if you follow the cable it only goes one way so there was nothing else it could be really.
Interestingly though I can't determine if the alternator is functioning normally, I've taken a multimeter to it and can't get a conclusive reading despite several attempts.
The real test will be when the replacement fuse goes back in, so we'll see what happens.
Many thanks for the tips.
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