Alternator problems

[Maggy May]

Hi,
I have the stop and battery light lit on my 182. I have done voltage drop tests and it's all within spec. The battery reads as below when off and lowers to 12v with engine running and lowers to 11ish volts when revving to 2000rpm

I did continuity tests, I have a beep showing no breaks on the negative side but no beep on the positive side. Is there an in-line fuse on the line between the alternator positive and the battery positive?

I know it's probably a coincidence but this problem started after removing a sub with built in amp from the boot (was huge and heavy and just didn't want it.) I have left the wires in place for now just taped up the ends to avoid any contact.

The wiring looks like it's been messed with before

I'm guessing I can test the wire being the issue by bridging another wire for now, what gauge wire should I use? Or am I on completely the wrong track here?

The belt also looks like it has a chunk taken out the side of it. Am I right in assuming this needs replacing? It's a bit of a b**ch to get to but the belt tension seems ok.

Any help appreciated

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[Amos91]

I'd say that the alternator is dead, what voltage is coming out of the alternator directly?

Also don't drive it when the aux belt looking like that, if it snaps its likely to wrap round the crank, goodbye engine!

 

[JamesBryan]

The voltage drops when the engine is running?

Should be 14.5v when the alternator is charging...

That belt needs changing asap.

 

[Maggy May]

The voltage drops when the revs are up. No difference in voltage when the engine starts so alternator is not charging at all. I assumed as there's no continuity on the wire from alternator to the positive post it's a break in the wire?

I will get a belt to be changed, it's not being driven with no charge going to battery atm anyway but I'm guessing the belt is a b**ch to change as it's in such a small gap.

I was unsure on how to test the voltage at the alternator so just did the voltage drop tests and continuity checks.

Thanks

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[Amos91]

The positive wire still attached to the alternator? I know its an obvious question but they do have a tendency to corrode and snap.

 

[dann2707]

Yup, the battery should be reading around 14v or a bit more when the engine is running. I had this issue last month, 30 pound later and a second hand alternator and it's now showing 14v. I would change that belt asap too. Very very easy to replace.

All you need is a 70-90mm jubilee clip around the tensioner, tension the tensioner and you can change the belt over in around 10 mins easily.

 

[Maggy May]

Yeah the ring connector is connected fine nice and tight, but no continuity from the ring end of the wire at alternator and the end of the wire at the positive battery terminal which is what makes me think it's a break in the wire rather than duff alternator (at the moment) unless there is an in-line fuse?

And I will deffo change the belt as it looks a bit eaten on the edges.

I struggle in spaces where I cannot get a breaker bar in with my ponsy female muscles

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[bloke]

99% alternator is probably shot, aux belt and tensioner need changing for sure.

 

[Rone]

If I remember correctly, there should be a fuse. And even if u can measure no continuity, when the car is running can you get a voltage reading from the alternator positive pin versus the car body (ground). To see if the alternator is putting out anything. Just to eliminate any possible error done during the continuity check...

 

[Darren S]

Yeah the ring connector is connected fine nice and tight, but no continuity from the ring end of the wire at alternator and the end of the wire at the positive battery terminal which is what makes me think it's a break in the wire rather than duff alternator (at the moment) unless there is an in-line fuse?

And I will deffo change the belt as it looks a bit eaten on the edges.

I struggle in spaces where I cannot get a breaker bar in with my ponsy female muscles 😧

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That's done it. A proverbial cavalry of CS blokes wanting to help out will now be on their way.....

The alternator is never a straight-forward fix. Luckily I had mine replaced while the cambelt was being done and the front bumper was off anyway.

 

[Stay Puft]

Do all RBs have white dials?

 

[cs_dave]

I have a 110amp alternater going cheap ;-)

 

[imprezaworks]

Do all RBs have white dials?

Only ones that need an alternator

 

[JamesBryan]

Do all RBs have white dials?

They look like Ph1 dials.

 

[Stay Puft]

So this RB has the wrong dials?

Was gonna put me off ever owning an RB!

 

[imprezaworks]

Yep has the wrong dials

 

[Maggy May]

I had no idea that the dials should look any different? I quite like the white dials.

I have just tested the alternator output and it's only giving out .34 of an amp so looks like the alternator is shot. I am looking at getting it refurbed as new alternators are expensive.

The service book shows it had cam belt done 4k miles ago but I would have thought they would have done the aux belt at the same time as I'm guessing it must have looked bad 4k miles ago too. Thinking may as well just get the cambelt changed and do the alternator, belt and tensioner kit done at the same time to be safe. There is no noise from the engine so guessing I don't need the dephaser belt changing or is this something that's best to get changed while I am at it?

I know it's going to cost a pretty penny either way

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[JamesBryan]

What mileage is it on?

 

[Maggy May]

97k

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[imprezaworks]

If your looking at getting belts etc doing the list sounds like £800 at best.

 

[JamesBryan]

I'd definitely get the dephasher done if it hasn't been done before.

Who did the cambelt last time?

 

[bloke]

Hard to say from the blurry pic but lack of sagem in the middle and what looks to be Lockwood on the left I'd say...

 

[flebay]

Hi,
I have the stop and battery light lit on my 182. I have done voltage drop tests and it's all within spec. The battery reads as below when off and lowers to 12v with engine running and lowers to 11ish volts when revving to 2000rpm

I did continuity tests, I have a beep showing no breaks on the negative side but no beep on the positive side. Is there an in-line fuse on the line between the alternator positive and the battery positive?

I know it's probably a coincidence but this problem started after removing a sub with built in amp from the boot (was huge and heavy and just didn't want it.) I have left the wires in place for now just taped up the ends to avoid any contact.

The wiring looks like it's been messed with before

I'm guessing I can test the wire being the issue by bridging another wire for now, what gauge wire should I use? Or am I on completely the wrong track here?

The belt also looks like it has a chunk taken out the side of it. Am I right in assuming this needs replacing? It's a bit of a b**ch to get to but the belt tension seems ok.

Any help appreciated

Using Tapatalk

The reason the aux belt has started to split is its 1 rib off on the pulleys so the edge cuts into the belt.
That will be down

Hi,
I have the stop and battery light lit on my 182. I have done voltage drop tests and it's all within spec. The battery reads as below when off and lowers to 12v with engine running and lowers to 11ish volts when revving to 2000rpm

I did continuity tests, I have a beep showing no breaks on the negative side but no beep on the positive side. Is there an in-line fuse on the line between the alternator positive and the battery positive?

I know it's probably a coincidence but this problem started after removing a sub with built in amp from the boot (was huge and heavy and just didn't want it.) I have left the wires in place for now just taped up the ends to avoid any contact.

The wiring looks like it's been messed with before

I'm guessing I can test the wire being the issue by bridging another wire for now, what gauge wire should I use? Or am I on completely the wrong track here?

The belt also looks like it has a chunk taken out the side of it. Am I right in assuming this needs replacing? It's a bit of a b**ch to get to but the belt tension seems ok.

Any help appreciated

Using Tapatalk

The reason the aux belt has split is that its 1 rib off on the pulleys.
The lip will cut into the belt,its caused buy the wancer who last fitted it.
Should look like mine.

 

[Maggy May]

Cam belt was last done 23/11/15 by bear garage Ltd in Evesham. It just says cambelt and full service was done.

There is also another service done at 48k in 09 by Renault Ware garage that says timing belt major service. There are 2 other stamps after that before thr most recent but no details really what was done.

Can upload a better picture of the dials when I am at my pc if you like.



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[JamesBryan]

I'd get the lot done if you plan on keeping it for a decent length of time.

 

[Rone]

I have just tested the alternator output and it's only giving out .34 of an amp so looks like the alternator is shot. I am looking at getting it refurbed as new alternators are expensive.

Exactly how did you measure the current output? The alternator current output increases when more devices are turned on/connected to the alternator. If you connect a multimeter between the alternator output and ground in CURRENT MEASURING MODE, you most likely will burn the multimeter. You should have measured the voltage, not the current, as the current tells NOTHING about the alternator working or not in case the positive wire from the alternator is truly broken...

 

[Maggy May]

Sorry I meant volts not amps. I had the multimeter on up to 20v and measured the positive output on the alternator and a ground from engine casing. This was with no load on the alternator though just the engine running.

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[flebay]

Cam belt was last done 23/11/15 by bear garage Ltd in Evesham. It just says cambelt and full service was done.

There is also another service done at 48k in 09 by Renault Ware garage that says timing belt major service. There are 2 other stamps after that before thr most recent but no details really what was done.

Can upload a better picture of the dials when I am at my pc if you like.



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They would of had to removed the aux belt to replace the Cam belt so probably bear garage unless someones been in there since.