Thread: ALTERNATOR BRUSHES? 300TDI alt problem!

Hey guys! I've came here twice before and got the answers I was looking for, many thanks! So today my problem comes in the form of an ALTERNATOR

I'll set the scene first - I was driving my 97 Land Rover Discovery 1 300TDI through Riverland, SA towards Adelaide Hills one night and my rev counter kept dipping out and battery light coming on every so often, I thought it was my belt slipping! Upon pulling over when both were not working I seen the serp belt in full flow with no slip, so I assumed it was a sensor problem.

Next morning my disco really struggles to start, once it's started rev counter is still down and battery light on. I checked my voltage on the battery and realise it's not charging and what I thought was a sensor problem is an alternator problem!!

TEMP FIX: Here is where it gets interesting (and confusing) if I give my alternator a hit with the hammer on the case 2 or 3 times, something engages, engine noise changes (like a bit of strain has been added) and everything is back to normal. So i'm left confused what is wrong with it and if it's fixable! I really don't want to folk out for a new alt on this side of the world, at home (i'm English) they're so cheap!!

I'm not technically inclined to alternators, after doing some research and taking it to an auto electrician for a breif look over they tell me it may be the brushes are on way out.

Now my question - Does anyone know which brushes the alternator takes and most importantly WHERE I can get them? Even Burson's can't help me and I can't find much info online.

Now I realise there are a few different alts for a 97 300tdi disco 1, I really cant find much info on this either until I pull it out next week.
My VIN ends in VA730821 if that helps

Thanks guys, if anyone has any suggestions or input on what else it may be please share with me, Hopefully just the brushes, doesn't seem too difficult to change after having a look on youtube! For now I just have to pull over every 20 mins to give it a tap with the hammer

Cheers

Jamie

Originally Posted by bee utey

I have a dismantled 300TDi alternator that has brushes which are still long enough for further service. I think the alternator was working but had the end housing stolen off it to convert a new V8 100 amp alternator to fit the 300TDi. I might even be able to help you fit the brushes. The alternator parts would be available for free.

Send me a PM if you want the bits. I am near Crafers in the Adelaide Hills.

Ah man! That's wonderful news, i'm floating around the Mt Barker area, I live out of my disco ha! Camp life.

To have some help with it would be perfect too, always nice to have a second opinion when you're doing something you've never done before. I'm just about to start work i'll throw you a message later on tonight. Thank you!!!