Failed Alternator, or so I thought

[deano-tvr]

Hi Guys,

I have a 2000 Chimaera 4.5 and thought the alternator had died a death. I'm getting the usual symptoms...Battery light stays illuminated on the dash when driving around, battery flat, I can re charge it and everything it fine, Until it goes flat again.

I was about to replace the alternator but I heard that there is something called a "link fuse" or "fuse link". I'm told it is under the starter motor and if it has blown you will see the same symptoms as a fail alternator. The problem I have is I can't find it and I'm beginning to wonder if it exists.

Well this weekend seeing as I was unable to find the "link fuse" I replaced the alternator and as I feared, I still have the same problem. Battery not charging and the battery warning light stays on once the car is running. I did notice that if you rev the car it does flicker as you release the throttle. Has anyone had this problem before, Should I be looking for this Link fuse again?

Many Thanks,
Deano.

[funinthesun]

I Had exactly the same thing on my 500, I too feared a new alternator was on the card, and it was actually the alternator fuse, which lives in its own little plastic case ( 100Amp, IIRC), costs peanuts for the fuse, but you can only really access it from below, so you really need the car up on a ramp.it sits more or less under the middle on the engine the case is about 3 inchs or so long.

hope this helps , not a big job, and sorted mine out just fine, apparently this is a fairly ramdon thing that may never happen or may happen once and cause this problem so it shouldnt be reoccuring, had mine done about 4 months ago and its been fine since..

S.

>> Edited by funinthesun on Monday 27th October 12:11

[deano-tvr]

Excellent, Do you know where I can buy one or its model number?

[funinthesun]

sorry , no, I didnt do it myself, but any TVR specialist should be able to send you one for a few pounds, if you just say you think its the alternator fuse, and describe the symptoms they will know what to send you...

At least it nice to know it not serious/expensive...

[bobski]

Yep - just had mine done - 100A fuse. Can you get under the car alright? Coz that's where it is - under the engine! Easy to find and swap out (like a normal fuse)

[GreenV8S]

Hope you get this sorted. Just as a note of caution, if the battery light does come on at any point, you're well advised to ease off immediately and pull over asap to check you do still have a fan belt. This is one possible cause of the battery warning light and if you do lose the fan belt and press on, you can damage the engine very quickly (by the time the overall engine temperature has started to rise far enough for you to notice, the damage is probably done). Assuming the fan belt is there and intact, the only danger is the battery running flat which is much less of a worry.

[pies]

Wellcome to PH