hi chaps, my boxer alternator failed on way home last night, at Stonehenge (a common breakdown place for me now )
the light came on, and I got to the next service and checked voltage.. no charge..
an AA chap was nearby and said no don't go any further, back of truck etc.. then realised I knew a fair bit about the van, measured my current draw at around 9 amps, running.. with that in mind plus the fully charged spare battery (leisure) we agreed I would get home ok, which I did..
I have never taken an alternator apart, but have bought a NOS reg and brush pack just now on ebay, is this a simple bolt on fix to get the unit back up and running? presume alternator off van, over to workbench, and see how I get on?
TIA
John
Alternator fail
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Re: Alternator fail
It depends on the level of access you have to the alternator, and the alternator itself. I have replaced the brush pack on one on my BX, and it was easy, but access was very good (so I could do it in situ).
James
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Re: Alternator fail
I've completely rebuilt a JCB alternator in the past - it was 50% alternator and 50% mud so had to come down to component level. It needed 2 soldering irons held together to melt the solder, but apart from that, it's just big boys Lego Make sure the brushes are held right back when you stick it all back together so they don't get caught.
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Re: Alternator fail
Hi John,
Assuming the regulator/brush assy is the correct one for your alternator it should be a very easy and straightforward fix, am not familiar with the boxer but alternator off the vehicle is probably easiest if access is not that good, also check the condition of the slip rings, even if these are not brilliant you could do the repair to get mobile again and asap get the slip rings machined or replace them.
Depending on the make of alternator the slip rings could be bronze or steel, carbon brushes for bronze and bronze / carbon for steel (similar material to starter motor brushes) but if the reg/brush assy is the correct one then then this should not be a problem please let the forum know how the repair goes.
Assuming the regulator/brush assy is the correct one for your alternator it should be a very easy and straightforward fix, am not familiar with the boxer but alternator off the vehicle is probably easiest if access is not that good, also check the condition of the slip rings, even if these are not brilliant you could do the repair to get mobile again and asap get the slip rings machined or replace them.
Depending on the make of alternator the slip rings could be bronze or steel, carbon brushes for bronze and bronze / carbon for steel (similar material to starter motor brushes) but if the reg/brush assy is the correct one then then this should not be a problem please let the forum know how the repair goes.
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Re: Alternator fail
I called out the AA a few years ago, my own fault I left the lights on (Peugeot 406 again) the lights don't go off when you turn off the ignition unless it's on 'auto'
They sent a garage out, the mechanic insisted I needed a new battery, he even connected a meter across it to show me, I don't know whether it was a con or his knowledge of car electrics was minimal but the battery was reading well low with the engine running even though everything on the car was functioning normally, I hate to suggest his meter was deliberately miscalibrated but I declined the offer of a battery and needless to say when I got home and checked it I had a reading of 14.4 volts and never had any more trouble.
Peter
They sent a garage out, the mechanic insisted I needed a new battery, he even connected a meter across it to show me, I don't know whether it was a con or his knowledge of car electrics was minimal but the battery was reading well low with the engine running even though everything on the car was functioning normally, I hate to suggest his meter was deliberately miscalibrated but I declined the offer of a battery and needless to say when I got home and checked it I had a reading of 14.4 volts and never had any more trouble.
Peter
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Re: Alternator fail
many thanks all! will keep you posted, will grab alternator off van I think as it's quite easy.
blimey Peter, that is a bit naughty..
John
blimey Peter, that is a bit naughty..
John
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Re: Alternator fail
got the alternator off today, the brushes are well worn, and I suspect the slip ring (outer/upper) is far gone too.. so will have a go at my first ever alternator repair! may get to it Sat or Sun..
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Re: Alternator fail
Good luck with it.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
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Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
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Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
- van ordinaire
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Re: Alternator fail
Sense of satisfaction aside, for the cost of a s/h alternator, is it worth it?
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Re: Alternator fail
i know what you mean Van.. I have never bothered before.. but £11 versus an unknown used unit..
to be honest the boxer etc - whilst sharing many parts with the 2.0Hdi - has a few oddball parts for it only, so it seems... couldn't find much about for less than £100 when I had a quick look last week..
anyway, all back together and all voltage back.. so, 2 brushes, a new end bearing, and a new slip ring.. wasn't too bad at all.. a couple of useful you tube vids for rebuilding a Valeo helped a lot.. but anyone could do it
to be honest the boxer etc - whilst sharing many parts with the 2.0Hdi - has a few oddball parts for it only, so it seems... couldn't find much about for less than £100 when I had a quick look last week..
anyway, all back together and all voltage back.. so, 2 brushes, a new end bearing, and a new slip ring.. wasn't too bad at all.. a couple of useful you tube vids for rebuilding a Valeo helped a lot.. but anyone could do it
- van ordinaire
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'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects! - x 405
Re: Alternator fail
Well done, a useful skill acquired & a good saving as a nice little bonus.
Actually, I'm quite surprised you can get the parts as nobody (in this country) seems to do that sort of thing anymore - or, indeed, repair anything.
Actually, I'm quite surprised you can get the parts as nobody (in this country) seems to do that sort of thing anymore - or, indeed, repair anything.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"