Dispatch alternator replacement.

[Peter Palmer]

I think the alternator has finally gone kaput on my Dispatch, strangely the battery light comes on and a message about charge/electrical supply shows in the display but then it sometimes goes out again, although its definitely not charging at all as I've had a meter across the battery.

Anyway my question is are all the 1.6 HDI alternators the same? my engine is the later 8V one (2015) Vin is VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]. Also are there any other common things that go wrong other than the alternator itself that would stop it charging, it did seem a bit rattely under the bonnet when driving earlier but when I had a closer look everything seemed fine and I think the AUX belt was still on and working.

[MattBLancs]

This might seem daft, but bear with me!

Is the alternator definitely going round (when the engine running) ?

I did hear of an alternator "clutch pulley" failing that results in no drive to alternator shaft.

Other thing to check are voltage at battery terminals when running - can be quite a variation in voltage (smart alternators vary the charging voltage) but think 14 volts or so with engine running is healthy.

If low, do same check at the alternator output connection (normally 13mm nut under a rubber cap) take car doing this, obviously fingers clear of the running belt but also due to the unfused 12v that would be a touch "exciting" if allowed to connect with earth (I e. Pretty much everything metal on the car) that'll rule out failing wiring between alternator and battery.

Matt

[wheeler]

Yes, just because there is no charging voltage at the battery terminals does not necessarily mean the alternator is not working. Always check the output directly at he the main positive terminal & put the earth of your meter directly on the alternator casing.

[Peter.N.]

The usual cause of alternator failure is the diode/regulator pack, very easy to change and much cheaper than an alternator.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183846569034 ... R8a5xvWIYQ

Peter

[Peter Palmer]

The usual cause of alternator failure is the diode/regulator pack, very easy to change and much cheaper than an alternator.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183846569034 ... R8a5xvWIYQ

Peter

I did suspect that but we needed the van back on the road for Monday morning so I bit the bullet today and bought a new alternator, GSF had one locally to me for £190. Dear do but it would have cost us more than that if we couldn't work on Monday.

what a sod of a job though, had to unbolt the AC compressor to get to one of the nuts and the two rear bolts are some kind of weird setup where if you slacken the bold off if becomes a dowel instead and the alternator pulls forward with the bolt still attached to it. As the bolt is tightened it opens out a sleeve round it that grips the bracket it fits into. Trying to work out the way the aux belt went back on as well was like trying to unravel the mysteries of the universe. All seems to be working ok though now.

[MattBLancs]

The usual cause of alternator failure is the diode/regulator pack, very easy to change and much cheaper than an alternator.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183846569034 ... R8a5xvWIYQ

Peter

I did suspect that but we needed the van back on the road for Monday morning so I bit the bullet today and bought a new alternator, GSF had one locally to me for £190. Dear do but it would have cost us more than that if we couldn't work on Monday.

what a sod of a job though, had to unbolt the AC compressor to get to one of the nuts and the two rear bolts are some kind of weird setup where if you slacken the bold off if becomes a dowel instead and the alternator pulls forward with the bolt still attached to it. As the bolt is tightened it opens out a sleeve round it that grips the bracket it fits into. Trying to work out the way the aux belt went back on as well was like trying to unravel the mysteries of the universe. All seems to be working ok though now.

Expensive, but needs must if it has to be ready to earn it's keep.

Mounting bolt description sounds like those I've seen (in fact on Peugeot/Citroen I've messed with think they're all like that) a bit odd and I'm always paranoid about loosing the expanding sleeve (or the oddball bolts with a big tapered section)

Was it a stretch belt? I think they're answer to a question that didn't need answering and a pain to work with.

Matt

[Peter.N.]

I recently did one on a Peugeot 406 Hdi, pig of a job, my C5 is easier.

Peter