Thread: alternator

Sorry to hearvabout your predicament, Rich. Hope it gets sorted for you.

Really interesting thread. I'm looking to do a Simpson crossing next year and with my D3 now at 250k ks I am a bit suspicious of the life of the alternator to the point of considering taking a spare. After reading this thread I think I'll factor a change before I go and take the old one as a spare.

Cheers

Originally Posted by morpheus

Sorry to hearvabout your predicament, Rich. Hope it gets sorted for you.



Really interesting thread. I'm looking to do a Simpson crossing next year and with my D3 now at 250k ks I am a bit suspicious of the life of the alternator to the point of considering taking a spare. After reading this thread I think I'll factor a change before I go and take the old one as a spare.



Cheers

I'd definitely be changing it, if you have just changed it to the correct genuine one I would worry about taking the old one as a spare.

Rich that 5 rib pulley is definitely the wrong one (as you already know) - it also doesn't have the internal clutch in it either - this should have been flagged-up on a part number search? - Good Luck.

Well, he was so sorry and apologetic! He rang the part supplier and gave them hell. Although they should of picked up the difference themselves. Anyway it's all going to be fixed on Friday. The timing belt cover is approx $250! Plus the second serpentine belt and correct alternator.

Ok who would believe, my D3 is going to have its 4th alternator fitted since Anzac long weekend on Friday. The day before I head off to Birdsville & Channel Country! Why - because the brand new genuine Alternator fitted last Friday is faulty, the regulator has issues.

Black cats, ladders? What did you do to cause this?

Well yeah Graeme I think I must of!

Story goes:
Anzac Long Weekend - my second alternator dies after 111k
Luckily I had a spare to get fitted Sat morn so I still got away.
That was Lucky!

Back I decide to replace the second hand spare with a new one.

Strike 2 - Auto Electrician fits the wrong alternator because it only had a 5 rib pulley.

Strike 3 - After breaking 2 serpentine belts I work out that it's the wrong alternator, the Auto Electrician didn't pick it up either when first fitting the belt or the second time it went in.

Strike 4 - New Genuine L/R alternator fitted last Friday, on Monday leaving work I noticed on startup :
Dashboard displays pulsating, Radio cutting in & out and the Handbrake light flashing orange!

Thinking it may be a battery damaged by the alternator failure I had both my batteries checked as well as the charging - all ok.
Hmmm after doing some searches it could either be alternator, bad earth or faulty brake light switch.
So I always have a spare brake light switch so I fitted it Monday night.

Tuesday morn, no problem I drive 35 min to work.
Tues arvo - same issues again!
I rang a different Auto Elect who does my Indie's work, he agrees with my partial diagnosis. Says we need to record what the voltage is when it happens.
So I rig up a multimeter sitting just behind the bonnet so I can monitor the voltage as I drive.

Wed morn, I notice the voltage for most of the trip being around 15.5 volts with a couple of spikes going up to 17.5 & 18v!!!
Wed arvo - well bugger me it happened again!
This time I videoed the readings, watch for the large variation / pulsation which occurs.

[ame]https://youtu.be/8c7TH1KtNOg[/ame]

Well I spoke to both Auto Electricians - Faulty Alternator!!!!
Another Genuine one being fitted Friday.
As I mentioned I leave Saturday.
I'm now taking my spare one as well!

I suspect you're hoping the next one's OK!