Alternator problems....

[Guest]

Whenever i first start my car up and even sometimes when its warm the alternator just doesn't charge properly. The alternator light illuminates and i have to rev it high and then its fine. It outputs i think it was 9/10v on idle when the lights illuminated and its a little low once i've revved it i think about 13.5v

Just wondering as to what this could be as it's a pretty recent alternator ?

 

[Guest]

Might be a loose connection on the Plug on the back of the alternator, also check battery terminals are on tight, mine was doing similar and it was due to the battery clamp not being down far enough!

 

[Guest]

Posted it in the wrong section :lol:

My connections are all good i've had a look on the alternator. I havent on the battery which is in the boot. Which i think it might be the positive terminal as it doesnt start instantly theres a delay between when i turn the key and it starts to turn over

 

[Guest]

Battery connections are all good! Hmm looks like it may mean new alternator time again!

 

[Guest]

Posted it in the wrong section :lol:

My connections are all good i've had a look on the alternator. I havent on the battery which is in the boot. Which i think it might be the positive terminal as it doesnt start instantly theres a delay between when i turn the key and it starts to turn over

Had same problem and still do from time to time.. with the dealy before starting.. now it seems to be gone when i cleaned up battery terminals and got a new battery.. also my alternator light was on at a point givin 0V but after fixing the battery it works fine

 

[Guest]

My battery is deffinatly fine its only a few months old and a good bosch one

 

[Guest]

I'd say on alternator isnt giving out enough charge, hence why when you rev engine, therefore increasing the speed the alternator is turning, your light goes out. Get your meter on battery and check charging rate with the car on full load ie. headlights, wipers, heater etc and see what your getting. You should be looking 13+ for a good alternator.

 

[Guest]

Forgot to say, do that on revs of 1500-2000.

 

[Guest]

sorry to hijack, but i may have a similar issue, when idling with my headlights on, if i rev the engine they get brighter. what does that point to?

 

[Guest]

They will get brighter as more charge is getting to your battery and so therefore your battery has more power to give out, hence making your lights brighter. If you think your alternator isnt charging your battery properly then check the above post. If you give more information, such as do you have trouble staring, how dim are the lights before, alot dimmer or only slightly etc. Will enable me which direction to point you in.

 

[Guest]

I'd say on alternator isnt giving out enough charge, hence why when you rev engine, therefore increasing the speed the alternator is turning, your light goes out. Get your meter on battery and check charging rate with the car on full load ie. headlights, wipers, heater etc and see what your getting. You should be looking 13+ for a good alternator.

I know that :wink: i've stated the voltages in my original post. It all seems fine now touch wood!

The voltage output wouldnt change at all until i revved it hard it's like it wasnt turning on until it hit that 5k which then it would output the right voltage.

 

[Guest]

Check belt tightness if not its your alternator, your alternator doesnt turn on and off, it just isnt outputting enough.

 

[Guest]

Belt isnt slipping at all, the problem hasnt been current for the past two days. Im going out today so ill see if the problem is still there!

 

[Guest]

Just changed my alternator.

Battery light came on and stayed on earlier in the week. The tell tale sign for me that it was the alternator was the wipers were much slower than usual. Tried to make it back home on battery. Failed - thanks temporary traffic light queue at some road works!

I'd like to say a special thank you to whoever colour coded the thread of the alternator through bolt in Naples overspray. I was practically lifting the car off the floor to get that nut started.

Later on, I went to nip out to the garage and turning the key - lights out then nothing! Checked every blade fuse twice then started bricking it thinking I'd blown something. Turned out in the time I'd been working on it the positive terminal connections had gradually worked their way loose.

My car likes to test me like that.