alternator probs !

[tribbster]

Hi guys !me again !Ive recently fitted a new battery on my 350i, but there seems to be no charge getting to it, is the alternator a standard rover one ? is there an upgrade ?

[father ted]

tribbster said:

Hi guys !me again !Ive recently fitted a new battery on my 350i, but there seems to be no charge getting to it, is the alternator a standard rover one ? is there an upgrade ?

You need a voltmeter of some kind first,but....
If voltage at battery terminals when engine running is not in the region of 13-14 volts then chances are,Alternator is kaput. If voltage is that sort of figure then it looks like you could have a new battery that has a shorted cell (rare) in other words,voltage at terminals could be good but capacity knackered
Re-con Alternators are cheap as chips.....got mine for roughly 40 quid exchange ......job's a good 'un!
Any decent vehicle electric place will have one on the shelf for you.

p.s. make sure when engine is off that your red ignition light is not glowing faintly (check at night)....this would mean the diode rectifier pack is faulty and the battery will 'back feed' and drain.

Cheers
FT

[tribbster]

wow thanks ! these cars are just are way beyond me ! but i'll have a go !!!