Typical, nice hot long weekend and the alt has failed :(

[davetherave1970]

Well I think it's my alternator.
Mentioned to Hilton & Moss that just lately when the alt is under heavy load it whines and the V meter drops to 12.5v when normally it sits just below 14v. It comes back to the high volt when the cooling fans stop and / or the lights / heater fan's switch off.
The red dash light at the top glows dim also when under load!
Anyway, was told it could be the alt on its way out. I was also told that as its a pre-serp that it doesn't have the 100amp fuse (which it was hoping it was).

Anyway, went out for a blast this morning, big grin on my face and the v meter was u and down like a yo-yo. Got down to 12v at one point and the red light was bright at this point. Then 2 minutes later back up to just under 14v. This kept repeating on the dash home before I was stranded or I damage the battery through discharge.

Been calling around some parts places and as expected on a holiday weekend, none are open

Can anyone suggest where to get a replacement alt near Brentwood, Essex.

You just watch, I'll get a new alt and it'll start raining!!! AAHhhhhh!!! Frustrated I didn't change it as soon at the simptoms started.

[Loubaruch]

It may well be your alternator but dirty contacts on the alternator and/or loose connections can give identical symptoms. Worth just checking that the contacts are OK before lashing out £100 +. Disconnect your battery first otherwise you can easily short the battery +ve to earth, this can be rather dramatic.

[MPoxon]

Oh no nightmare and typical with the weather we have had over the weekend!

Pauline's husband Ray does alternators and has supplied a number of people at the club so it may be worth dropping him a line.

[roseytvr]

Loubaruch said:

It may well be your alternator but dirty contacts on the alternator and/or loose connections can give identical symptoms.

+1

Had exactly the same problem today - undid conections at the 100 amp fuse and the fuse fell out in two with a very small hairline fracture you could not see. New fuse clean and grease connections and now back on full charge.

[davetherave1970]

davetherave1970 said:

Hilton & Moss also told me that as its a pre-serp it doesn't have the 100amp fuse (which it was hoping it was).

Has anyone had a pre-serp with a 100amp fuse?

I'll be under the car this morning to have a look myself!

[Argent]

If none of the above works it could just be that the brushes need changing.

A.

[davetherave1970]

MPoxon said:

Pauline's husband Ray does alternators and has supplied a number of people at the club so it may be worth dropping him a line.

Thanks Matt, phoned Pauline and got hold of Ray.
Took the Alt off the car and went to Clacton to see Ray. He put it on test and it's giving morse code voltage readings!

Another ordered (after finding the correct match) and it'll be in tomorrow.
Under £100 too!
Happy bunny - well, I will be tomorrow evening after I've fitted it.

Looked back at my cars history and this alt has lasted 14,000 / 2 and a half years!

[MPoxon]

davetherave1970 said:

Thanks Matt, phoned Pauline and got hold of Ray.
Took the Alt off the car and went to Clacton to see Ray. He put it on test and it's giving morse code voltage readings!

Another ordered (after finding the correct match) and it'll be in tomorrow.
Under £100 too!
Happy bunny - well, I will be tomorrow evening after I've fitted it.

Looked back at my cars history and this alt has lasted 14,000 / 2 and a half years!

That is great news, glad you are getting it sorted out what seems to be fairly easily. That does seem very cheap for an alternator, looks like you have a good deal there

I keep meaning to speak to Ray about getting my alternator powder coated.

Surely an alternator is supposed to last more than 14,00 / 2.5 years?

[davetherave1970]

MPoxon said:

Surely an alternator is supposed to last more than 14,000 / 2.5 years?

Yes you would think so. It was a re-con unit but still!

Ray is not doing work himself at the mo. His finger had a fight with the spinning machine and his finger lost