AX Alternator keeps breaking

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chris waud
Posts: 4
Joined: 06 Apr 2003, 03:35

AX Alternator keeps breaking

Unread post by chris waud »

Hello Everyone,
I've just got myself an n reg AX 1.1 inj. (Dirt cheap and in good nick) I bought it knowing (or thinking!!) a problem with the alternator existed (bat. light on dash illuminated). I have good basic mechanical skills. I have rebuilt a few 2 stroke, 4 stroke engines and gear boxes so I thought I could easily fix this prob.
I replaced the alt with one from the local scrapy. The light on the dash went out, fixed, no? After 10 mins of running the bat light starts flickering, by the end of the day it's on fully again. I take the alt back to my friendly scrapy and tell them its knackered, they replace it with one they know works.
So, I install this one, same **** happens again? YES. My car keeps breaking Alternators? What is going on?
My weak point is electronics and I really am stuck with this one.
Your help is much appreciated, Thanks, Chris
User avatar
uhn113x
Posts: 1161
Joined: 06 Jan 2004, 22:06
x 3

Unread post by uhn113x »

Chris
You could do with finding out what has actually happened to the two alternators, and if they are indeed faulty, or whether you have inadvertently cured the fault when you have disturbed something when fitting.
I would not fit an alternator from a 'scrapy' (sic) without dismantling and checking it first.
Also, even though dash light is on, is the alternator charging? Stick a meter across the battery and you should get > 14 volts at 1500rpm.
If you haven't got a meter, a fiver from Maplins.
jeremy
Posts: 3959
Joined: 20 Oct 2002, 16:00
x 2

Unread post by jeremy »

Alternators need to run with a load - or terrible things happen and basically the output will run away and the thing will burn out. If you have bad connections on your car in the alternator circuit then this will cause the alternator to fail. Can either be live or earth side.
jeremy