Thread: 1,300kms from home and no alternator

Originally Posted by Graeme

Its not easy to disconnect the cable from the D4's alternator and the other end is joined to the starter cable at the starter motor which is why I fitted a dedicated alternator power cable to my D4 when I had it. The dedicated alternator cable was connected to the battery via a switchable circuit breaker to allow the alternator to be isolated if it shorted.

I have done the same on my D3. The dedicated cable also makes changing the alternator alot easier as i made it long enough to be able to pull forward to the front of the engine.

Bulletman

I think the brushes etc on a D2 TD5 are similar to Toyota parts. The first week I had the car I had to replace the alternator as the brush box got filled with oil from the(neglected) front camshaft plug.

While the part number is not the same , I ordered the part from UK and fitted it so presumably I have a good alternator standing by.

BUT carry a bloody alternator?
Perhaps carry a set of brushes ( its a unit in these) and rectifier unit .
Regards PhilipA

Hi everyone. It was me who was the subject of Tim’s post. Firstly, I would like to publicly say a huge thank you to Tim. Most of you who read this forum will know him, but the customer service this guy provides is absolutely insane. Without his help I would have well and truly been stuck up ship creek!

Just to clarify a few things. The timing was actually between Christmas and New Year which was part of the problem as everything was shut. There were no parts in South Australia, even Land Rover in Adelaide would have taken a week to get the part from Melbourne. Multiple calls to other mechanics in both Adelaide and Port Augusta that were actually open at the time also came up negative in terms of an available part. So we just decided to go home and get it replaced in Melbourne. Just a question for those who carry a spare alternator, if I actually had the part with me, is it something that any mechanic can replace? It looks like a fairly simple job (only a few bolts), but it looks like it’s really difficult to get to.

I also had the alternator replaced in Melbourne and not repaired. I think the old one was well and truly dead. If I was to purchase a spare, what’s the best recommendation?

Finally, I didn’t charge while I was driving. I did give some serious thought to it, but thought there might be a few dangers involved with running the generator while moving, so we just had a lot of 3 to 4 hour charging stops, and battery changes.

Another quick tip for anybody who is in a similar situation, the Honda generator has two output plugs. I found that the battery charged quicker by using one of the outputs for the 21 amp battery charger directly to the battery, and running a second power lead from the second output back to the caravan. The current running back through the Anderson plug also provided some additional charge.

Again, if I didn’t make it clear above thank you Tim, I’m not sure how I would have made it back without your assistance, as even if I did get a tow, the closest place I could actually get it repaired was Melbourne.

Originally Posted by Bulletman

You are more than entitled to disagree, but if you read the OP they couldn't track one down in Adelaide, i know first hand that unless its changed in the last month , none are available in Darwin or Alice.. This is why i said not easily available. I can only wonder how long it would have taken to get 1 from Perth to Pimba..

Altho this thread highlights what can be done to jury rig something to get home , I think it also highlights how a part that costs $680 as per your post ended up costing not only the stress of the break down and the impending options of towing, leaving family behind , it also worked out very expensive in buying a new battery, charger and then spending $1100 to repair a $680 part...

I had my D3 alternator delivered to my door for under $500 from Advanced factors and looking on their website a D4 denso unit wont be much more.

Bulletman

Why not carry a spare engine and spare gearbox as well - when my alternator failed at 12 pm, I picked one up at Ashdown Ingram at 3 pm (they had 3 in stock) - for sure it depends where you are - sorry I dont like towing a box trailer full of spare parts behind my car when I hop down to the shops.

If you are worried carry a rebuild kit for the alternator - it is generally the rectifier that fails - they are available on ebay pretty cheap and fit in in a small sandwich bag.

Small reminder for WA folks I have my old but still working perfect D3 alternator in the shed if anyone wants a trip spare or Frankenstein project item to mess with it.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

Why not carry a spare engine and spare gearbox as well - when my alternator failed at 12 pm, I picked one up at Ashdown Ingram at 3 pm (they had 3 in stock) - for sure it depends where you are - sorry I dont like towing a box trailer full of spare parts behind my car when I hop down to the shops.

If you are worried carry a rebuild kit for the alternator - it is generally the rectifier that fails - they are available on ebay pretty cheap and fit in in a small sandwich bag.

Each for their own , but if you are in a remote area- which are talking - the chances of someone being able to rebuild an alternator are in my view slim ,on the other hand changing out the alternator is an easier option for the average person who can spin a spanner.

If you never leave suburbia you dont need to buy any spares , but considering a part that will fit under the rear seats and can save alot of grief in my eyes its a no brainer if doing any form of travel outside suburbia.

obviously plenty of others dont follow my views and thats fine.

Bulletman

Bit carrying all these spares has the very result that you’ll need a spare...

D4 alternators usually go around 140-160k
Just swap it out beforehand and shelve the spare.

If said forum member had known, I would have arranged a unit in under 24 hours and delivered it to Pimba in another 2...

if you still have the old alternator can I have it to see if I can knock up a how to on doing a field repair?