Alternator fail

[baztvr]

Whist driving the cerb last week, the engine started missing and could'nt handle any more than quarter throttle. five mins. later she stopped dead. 11:45 at night ten miles from home, in the rain. Called recovery and got a piggy back all the way home. I suspected the Alternator had given up, tested it and watched the vaults drop on the multi-meter. When I searched the TVR sites for a new one I got prices from £165+vat to 220+vat. WHY!... It's only a damn alterator like any other car. I got my unit swapped useing my pully and rear section of cassing for £95.(inc. vat). It winds me up that a badge like TVR makes the price shoot up for the same component as mrs. Smiths daily drive.

[VPower]

I agree, it's time they realised all the high class rent boys now drive Audi RS4/6 etc!

Current owners much more aware of mechanical components and how things work!

[jonbarrett]

Where did you get the spares to repair the alternator?

[kojak]

I was going to mention the big fuse. Perhaps not.

[central]

Page 6 of the equivalent part numbers thread says -

"the alti for a cerb is off a landrover 3.9 V8 petrol. not got any part numbers tho and i think it costs around £150"

and -

"When I replaced mine recently its the same one as used on griff's chimera's and land-rovers providing they are all sepentine front ends, got mine off this chap, 112 quid"

[baztvr]

The new alternator has'nt any label but I will find out from the chap who did mine what it's the same as. I used to work in a tractor factory and some times we would undo the four long bolts and spin the back end of the case to allow it to be mounted on the opposite side of the engine. They were also Magneti Marelli units. Some were 120 Amp. It seems that they are not always so unique to one vehicle as you might think. Pulley size and alignment were the only variant after the Amps.

[fatjon]

new Discovery 3.9 petrol alternator. 89.00 off ebay with a test certificate and a years warranty. I know it fits, I fitted one last week so don't get fleeced by people who equate TVR owner with cow that needs milking. Fitting, if you can't do it yourself, takes about 35 minutes but can I suggest you change the big fuse at the same time for the sake of an extra few minutes or one day, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow... and it's a bit cold to be stuck by the roadside again.

[Crosswise]

I bought a 3.9 Discovery one off ebay which looks Identical to this but at a much lower price!

It bolts on fine but one of the bolts which goes through the casing (the one which can clearly be seen in that picture) fouls on one of the inlets, I have decided to grind the casing down a little as I didn't want the hassle of sending it back and for what it cost I wasn't too worried about doing it. It does take quite a lot to get it to clear though and it will always be a close fit.

Also how did you manage to change an alternator on a 4.5 in 35 minutes? It takes me that long just to get the inlet pipes back on. Unless you don't have aircon that is a very impressive time.

[baztvr]

I'm embarrassed to admit this but after changing my alternator and testing the volt at the battery whilst the engine was running, I found that the problem was the 100amp fuse all the time. so as the man said. change that as well. in fact change that first.

[kojak]

Glad you got it sorted.

If I have any problems with alternators/batteries etc...I always change the big fuse first. 5 minute job and costs 0.60p.

Edited by kojak on Tuesday 3rd February 23:27

[Nicholas Blair]

Bloody typical.

[redrose]

I had the same problem, seems that the car was running and the alternator wasnt working, some smoke came out of the handbrake. When i got it to the garage the mechanic told me tthat it was the fuse of the alternator.