Another charging question! sorry!

[cammers]

Hello mates,
Here's my problem! When I start my '96 Griffith up from cold, the volt gauge soon reads just over 13 volts! However, when it warms up the voltage starts dropping. By the time I arrive at work it's down to just over 11 volts! It's the same story on the way home too!
I imagine the problem must be heat related and something must be breaking up, but where would you reccommend I start looking?

[julianhj]

Does your (red) alternator light come on at any point? Does the starter motor turn over easily, or is it labouring?

My last alternator used to get tetchy when the engine was hot, just before I had it replaced. From cold there were no issues, but revving hard when hot caused the warning light to come on - the alternator was jamming.

[cammers]

My alternator light hasn't come on at any time. The starter motor does struggle sometimes! Today after the volts dropped to about 11 volts it wouldn't turn over at all! I waited until it cooled down then it turned over again, albeit quite slowly!

[shpub]

It could be the big 100 amp fuse going funny. It could also be the alternator regulator going funny. Just had that problem with the griff. No warning light just low output. Took the alternator to a local reconditioner who tested it and replaced the regulator unit. Cost about £75.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[cammers]

do you mean the fuse located conveniently under the car near the starter motor? Well I've checked that cleaned up the connections, so no problem there! Think the alternator sounds like a possibility! Maybe breaking down under the heat!

[shpub]

Yes. The fuse in my case had a hairline fracture which didn't help. The regulator was also intermittent. Oxon Bucks Diesel Services who sorted it out tested on a test rig to identify the problem. Exclellent and quick service.

[cammers]

Ok, was just travelling down the motorway when all of a sudden (at quite high revs) the engine stuttered then the battery light on the speedo plus the red led ignition light came on and are now staying on!
So am I right in assuming that the alternator is now completely useless?

>> Edited by cammers on Sunday 22 February 01:50

[shpub]

Could be or that fuse has gone. The hairline crack may have got bigger as there is less crud holding it together.

[RAW-SEWedge]

Sounds similar to the problems I had and I don't have the 100 amp fuse on my car. My alternator had an intermittent internal fault, which was diagnose when I removed it and took it to a local electrical specialist. Prior to that I had measured the voltage across the back of the Alternator and when the fault occurred it fell to battery voltage. My fault was provoked by load and heat, when the engine was hot and the alternator was under load it failed and the ignition light came on.

I’ve replaced the alternator with a reconditioned one for £75 and so far touch wood it’s been fine, I have notice of late thou’ when the car is warm and I have a lot of load on the alternator like head lights, cooling fans and heater fan the voltage does fall close to 12v but the ignition light isn’t coming on.

I’d take you alternator off and drop it in somewhere to be tested.

>> Edited by RAW-SEWedge on Sunday 22 February 20:38

[cammers]

Thanks for the advise. I have just removed the alternator, ready to take to my local repair centre! I'll post back here as soon as I know the outcome!

Mark

[cammers]

Well hopefully thats that all sorted now! I removed the alternator last night and took it to an excellent little shop called T.A Spares in Chatham! I came away with a genuine brand new alternator for £120.
Just fitted it and all seems tickety boo!

Thanks everyone for your help and advise!

Mark

[RAW-SEWedge]

XLNT News.

Sounds like a few alternators have bitten the dust thanks to TVR. I think they get a hard time sitting next to the exhaust.