Dead Alternator (I Think)

GilesM · Post by **GilesM** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:31 am

Just a quick question, I want to make sure I'm thinking straight before I spend the money, get under the car and take things to bits. I think my alternator is dead, brief details:

1. Charge light staying on.
2. Check battery voltage with engine off 12.5V
3. Car starts okay.
4. Check battery voltage with engine running, still 12.5V, turn lights on, drops slightly to 12.2V, lights don't seem to get brighter as I rev the engine.
5. Removed small two wire connector from Alternator, charge light was off (no surpirse as one of the small leads obviously carrys the charge light signal) checked the volatge across the ground and the +ve connection on the alternator, engine off = 12.5V engine running = 12.5V.

I can't see any reason for the above results other than a dead alternator, am I right, or have I missed something obvious.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks

Giles

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:47 am

Is it possible to change the regulator pack instead? Might be cheaper and or quicker??

Should be 14v while running.

GilesM · Post by **GilesM** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:26 am

Quick update, has anyone got a spare S2 K series alternator I can beg, steal, borrow, rent etc., just been onto Elise parts and they won't have any until the end of August, I'll call murrays but I'm not hopeful.

Following Richard's advice, does anyone know if it is possible to buy just the regualtor, suddenly it's all looking a bit desperate for TT.

Cheers

Giles

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:32 am

Local motor factors should stock them, it's a rover item.

Expect to pay £150 exchange (inc vat)

Changed mine a few weeks ago

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:34 am

Rover dealers (Now all Kia) are worth a shot. I used to one in Dundee (Kia dealer that is) of all my bits up there I have also got Rover bits from other Kia dealers around the country too.

TBH most motor factors should be able to get them without difficulty

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:42 am

Giles, I found if you can get the details of the one fitted to the car and then ask for the same or an equlivelant, rather than asking for a Lotus Elise alternator, was much easier.

Fitting is awkward and you need to take the bootlid/engine cover off, just 4 bolts and spacer washers, so not hard.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:58 am

Giles,
I think my dad may have a one off a rover 214 which i could ask him to bring down to me. You wouldn't get it till the end of the week though.
Stephen

GilesM · Post by **GilesM** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:04 am

Giles,
I think my dad may have a one off a rover 214 which i could ask him to bring down to me. You wouldn't get it till the end of the week though.
Stephen

Thanks Stephen, hopefully won't need it as following a few posts about motor factors I called Livingston autoparts and they should be able to help, just need the model numbers, also MMC have one, a bit expensive (no surprise) but I may go for it as the last one was not a Lotus part and didn't last too well.

Thanks for your help

Giles

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:18 am

Livi Auto didn't have one in stock for me, but I got mine from Autostores in Bathgate.

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:49 am

Make sure it's the beefier one as fitted to the S2 and not the weak S1 version.

I used euro alternators in Cambuslang but understand that's just too far away from you.

Mac

robin · Post by **robin** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:42 am

AndyG has an S2 alternator of an 8,000 mile S2 135R engine sitting in his garage that I am sure he would sell to you at a reasonable price ..

Cheers,
Robin

GilesM · Post by **GilesM** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 7:52 am

Code: Select all

AndyG has an S2 alternator of an 8,000 mile S2 135R engine sitting in his garage that I am sure he would sell to you at a reasonable price .. 

Cheers, 
Robin

Robin, thanks, I manged to buy a new one yesterday, fitted it last night and all seems to be okay, when the engines running I have 14.4V across the battery terminals and no charge light on.

Fitting is awkward and you need to take the bootlid/engine cover off, just 4 bolts and spacer washers, so not hard.

Certainly is, it helped taking the boot lid off, also the heat sheild around the exhaust manifold and the floor panel under the engine bay.

Thanks for the advice

Giles

tut · Post by **tut** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:00 am

Jolly good, would not have wanted you and Sian to miss the weekend.

tut

GilesM · Post by **GilesM** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:18 am

Jolly good, would not have wanted you and Sian to miss the weekend.

tut

I was getting worried, the one weekend we definately didn't want to miss.

Cheers

Giles

Stu160 · Post by **Stu160** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:54 pm

Hi Giles

I have a brand new one stock sir

Stu