Charging problems (car)

[JeremyClarksson]

I thought I would pass on this (expensively) gained piece of wisdom in case it helps someone else.

I have just shelled out £200 for an alternator I do not believe I needed, after it was connected the battery was still not charging and it was eventually traced to a faulty connection in a terminal block.

When you check the aternator do not just check the voltage at the alternater terminal or battery terminal - measure to see if there is any voltage between these 2 terminals.

0 volts would normally be good and any voltage indicates a bad connection.

I am electrically competent and am kicking myself for not checking this myself!

 

[Tony A.]

Garry,

Did you get your old one back off the garage? not much compensation I know but at least they can`t sell it on.

 

[MikeP]

Another good point with apparent alternator failure is to check the carbon brushes. I used to run a high mileage Pug 305, and at about 150,000 the charging light came on. Battery voltage nowhere near 13.8 with the engine running, so the alternator was the first suspect.

Having been quoted about

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Tony

Unfortunately I was in a bit of a rush as we were going on a rally the same day, I got a garage to check the alternator and they said it was faulty.

They could not get the replacement until the following Monday so I sourced one from somewhere else and they fitted it.

By the time we realised there was still a problem it was too late to take the alternater off and try and swap it back for the old one.

The garage argued that the old alternator was still faulty - so I was left with nowhere to go - life is full of lessons!

Mike

I have since got the name of a recommended auto electrician from a friend and he will change brushes.