alternater - duff or not !

[uglymug]

Just been chatting to someone who runs an SD1 club up north ( owns a Vittesse ) , he suggested my problem might be a duff alternater. As so much of the systems on the car rely on electric. I cant seem to fathom out this really as she was going well until I put the battery back on.
Took a precious 1/2 day off today as I had booked a mobile tuning guy who said he was the mutts nuts on V8's. Guess what, knowing my luck of course, yes youre right he didnt bother to turn up. To say I was annoyed is an under-statement. These people think that the world revolves around them. Anyway.......
what do you think guys????????

[350matt]

easist way to check the alternator is to measure the battery voltage with the engien off, then start the engine and continue to measure the battery voltage. Which should now be slowly increasing from what it was with the engine off. If not, its duff

Matt

[blaineuk]

350matt said:

then start the engine Matt

the problem is it won't start

[350zwelgje]

You could give it a try with the fan belt off, just to see if it starts without running the alternator.

Rob

[timpailthorpe]

350zwelgje said:

You could give it a try with the fan belt off, just to see if it starts without running the alternator.

Just unplug it that will remove the load.

Tim

[gomango]

Dude,All my Trucks at work run Negative earth return which I think is the same as a Wedge,On your Wedge have you still got an IGN light? If you have not there is a cicuit within the Alternater that f***s up causing the Lorry not to start,although it still turns over(all to do with overcharging) Long shot but it might help.

[grahamw48]

On my 280 I occasionally have to twiddle one of the fuses, if she refuses to go. (When no ignition light showing on dash)

[adam quantrill]

Ok - check this out. My alternator died while driving home at night, the engine not only ran but continued to run for a full 20 minutes while the battery fully discharged.

It was only when I was running on sidelights and they got so dim that it was becoming dangerous, that the engine started to falter. I would estimate that to be about 10V but maybe nearer 9V.

So - don't think it's the alternator. What battery voltage do you maintain while cranking? Come on, measure it and post the answer.