spider in voltmeter

[FlipFlopGriff]

Unusual one I know but came to work in the Griff. Got it out the garage and notice the voltage at just above 11, then the spider inside the dial!!! How did it get in there?
Plugged the voltmeter reader into the cig lighter and reads 13.5/13.6 and all else seems fine. Checked again when got to work and still 13.6. Last time I used the car it was reading high 13's so think the spider has caused this. Any ideas??



Always preferred the 5 spokes but now have 1 Spider.
Between myself and Hoover we must have 20% of the Griff problems!!!!!!
FFG

Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Wednesday 10th September 11:37

Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Wednesday 10th September 11:39

Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Wednesday 10th September 11:40

[PeteGriff]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Unusual one I know but came to work in the Griff. Got it out the garage and notice the voltage at just above 11, then the spider inside the dial!!! How did it get in there?
Plugged the voltmeter reader into the cig lighter and reads 13.5/13.6 and all else seems fine. Checked again when got to work and still 13.6. Last time I used the car it was reading high 13's so think the spider has caused this. Any ideas??



Always preferred the 5 spokes but now have 1 Spider.
Between myself and Hoover we must have 20% of the Griff problems!!!!!!
FFG

Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Wednesday 10th September 11:37

Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Wednesday 10th September 11:39

Edited by FlipFlopGriff on Wednesday 10th September 11:40

Hi Paul, I think the voltmeter is suffering from arachnophobia, causing an attenuation of electron flow, hence culminating in an incorrect needle indication. Very serious, suggest 'interrogating the 'web' for further activity, you must 'gauge' your approach in a considred manner......

[bluezeeland]

Suggest you take it for a 'spin' now and again........

Perhaps it got a mate......fancy the explanation to the constabulary; 'No officer, I wasn't doing 100, my speedo indicated only 60' ?

[Podie]

Ask it to return to the wing mirror.

[Pete Mac]

bluezeeland said:

'No officer, I wasn't doing 100, my speedo indicated only 60' ?

Do you think if you spun him a yarn like that, he would follow the thread...?

[bluezeeland]

Pete Mac said:

bluezeeland said:

'No officer, I wasn't doing 100, my speedo indicated only 60' ?

Do you think if you spun him a yarn like that, he would follow the thread...?

think he is, its clearly visible through the window.......

[DarkMatter]

I expect the spider went in to catch a fly, so somehow you need to get a bird in there to catch the spider that caught the fly......

[GTRene]

I think he was looking for cracks...spider cracks are very common in TVR's he was told

[FlipFlopGriff]

Late update as I've been away for a week. Got home and the voltage gauge was reading about 11.5 so had creeped up a bit but not much. Changed the alternator for a proper pre cat one and although had it fort 18 months only changed it about 6 months ago and done about 200 miles since, and I was told it had been rebuilt just prior to me buying it. The voltage reading through the cigarette lighter was still around the 13.2-13.6 before starting and after starting the car so what should I check next.
Going to south wales next weekend and don't want to come home on a low loader.
It did start misfiring on the way home and I found one of the spark plugs to be almost out so tried my best to get this back in (its always the awkward one) and got burnt a lot but did make it home. Doubt its related as the voltage gauge was still down nearer 11 than 13-14.
Was going to look at the 80a fuse, hot start fuses (but sure the car wouldn't start without this), other fuses and test the alternator readings (any assistance on which cables to check would be great
Getting peed off again as every time I use the car there is an issue.
FFG

[Pete Mac]

yeah, OK but what about the spider.......? Pete

[Adrianw]

Had spider in my voltmeter (dead)for about 2 years until the voltmeter started reading low, had it replaced by that non very fast supplier and now it read 14 - 15v.

Wonder if spiders are attracted to car , dial or chest wig - lol

[Pete Mac]

FlipFlopGriff said:

.....I was told it had been rebuilt just prior to me buying it....

Paul, sorry for being facetious in my first thread but it was too tempting.

If it was me I would be suspicious of the alternator and I would check the voltage readout at the alternator - I believe a separate thread says it should be 14.7v. if it is not then there is your problem, your so called rebuilt alternator is duff.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

As far as the plug is concerned, well that's just bad luck and not tightening your plug(s).

I spent a lot of time last winter just going over the Griff and fettling, tightening, replacing and it has paid off this summer in terms of reliability (touch wood). The only thing I failed on was the oil leak around the sump. I'm not sure what I did wrong, I used a rubber gasket and I used the proper silicone sealant. Fine for a bit and then it started leaking again. Perhaps I didn't use enough sealant, overtightened one of the bolts or it isn't the sump but I need to get the sump off again and redo it.

Anyway, good luck mate and I hope it's something simple. Pete

Edited by Pete Mac on Thursday 18th September 15:18

[FlipFlopGriff]

This is the alternator on the car. Looks correct but is it?
http://www.woodauto.com/Component.aspx?Ref=ALT4030
Looking at this but none of the numbers I can find are compatible.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191273745671?_trksid=p20...
or this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321385880251?_trksid=p20...
or just try a regulator first. In which case which one?
FFG

[Pete Mac]

Any use to you:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Pete

[BarnFind]

What have you called him...Sparky ?

[FlipFlopGriff]

FlipFlopGriff said:

This is the alternator on the car. Looks correct but is it?
http://www.woodauto.com/Component.aspx?Ref=ALT4030
Looking at this but none of the numbers I can find are compatible.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191273745671?_trksid=p20...
or this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321385880251?_trksid=p20...
or just try a regulator first. In which case which one?
FFG

Are any of these 2 the right one? There are that many variants its impossible to tell?
need to get one ordered asap as going to Wales Friday and will be going in the Passat at this rate.
FFG

[Pete Mac]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Are any of these 2 the right one? There are that many variants its impossible to tell?
need to get one ordered asap as going to Wales Friday and will be going in the Passat at this rate.
FFG

Paul,

I may be showing massive ignorance but your car is a pre-Serpentine engine, which surely for the purposes of getting an alternator is just a Rover V8, so why shouldn't any of the following fit:

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/67960/rover...

Why don't you get yourself down your local Eurocarparts or equivalent with your old alternator, slap them both on the counter and do a quick comparison of electrical connections, bolt positions, Amps etc.

Or have I missed the point?

Pete

[PeteGriff]

Pete Mac said:

Paul,

I may be showing massive ignorance but your car is a pre-Serpentine engine, which surely for the purposes of getting an alternator is just a Rover V8, so why shouldn't any of the following fit:

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/67960/rover...

Why don't you get yourself down your local Eurocarparts or equivalent with your old alternator, slap them both on the counter and do a quick comparison of electrical connections, bolt positions, Amps etc.

Or have I missed the point?

Pete

Hi Paul, Pete is correct, if your Griff is a preserp it will take the same alternator as my 430 which is a Range Rover Classic. Mine cost me £67 delivered from a 4x4 outlet I use for my Defender. Just ensure it is the correct hand, as I know Land Rover used the same alternator on many vehicles but some are L/H and others R/H (my Defender is similar by R/H) - as viewed from the front. Regards, Pete

[FlipFlopGriff]

Problem is I'm not sure the one I have is now the correct one so I'd be replacing the wrong one with another wrong one.
I look at Disco mk1 alternators and there are numerous variants.
http://www.paddockspares.com/catalogsearch/result/...
72 amp, 85 amp, 65 amp etc, left hand right hand.
Is there a specific part number I can at least use to cross reference as there seem to be hundreds of them. Someone must have one part number. I don't think I have the right alternator now.
Damn car is really getting me down now.
FFG

[Pete Mac]

Paul

The alternative parts list gives the following:

http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_partslist.p...

Magneti Marelli Type A127-65
Part number: STC 233

RV8R pages confirm:

http://www.rv8r.co.uk/electrics.html

Alternator - Magneti Marelli Type A127-65. Part number: STC 233
From 3.9 V8 Land Rover

YoYo Part says:

http://www.yoyopart.com/oem/8469635/magnetimarelli...

Cross Interchange Parts
FARCOM 111283
LUCAS ELECTRICAL 54 022 611
LUCAS ELECTRICAL 54022716
VEMO V25-13-36040
ROVER AMR4249
ROVER AMR4249E

That should give you enough to be going with down at your local parts supplier.

LR direct £50.14 but the pulley looks like a Serp one but I am sure a quick phone call should sort that

http://www.lrdirect.com/AMR4249-Alternator-300Tdi-...

At the end of the day, it's only a car. Enjoy it and don't let the b*gger wear you down.

Good luck

Pete