Should The Car Start Without The Alternator?

[Ethos 0]

Hi guys

 

Been having some starting problems and my power loom was looking a bit worse for wear:

 

 

Oh and the + clamp was broke so it span around and could come off easily!

 

Anyhoo, i've got a new cable made up but the nut is stuck on the alternator. Looks like it's going to be a pain in the arse to get off. I tried resting the power cable just on the end of the thread of the alternator but it results in some weird lights on the dash. If I take it off (so the cable isn't connected to anything) it seems fine. The car however still isn't starting.

 

Battery has been charged up.

No cranking

I can hear the relay switch.

 

Should it start without the alternator connected up?

 

I paid for the start motor to be reconditioned so I really hope it's not that that has gone.

 

Planning to run an extra cable from the starter to the ignition cable, but was hoping it'd at least start. The engine bay is pretty damp too at the moment. MOT in 2 weeks

 

Thanks

[DrSarty 90 1 Cars]

To answer your main question, yes.

 

Remember a car can be running and have the alternator fail. It doesn't stop, it just stops having 14+ volts to run everything AND recharge the battery.

 

You can test your starter & solenoid simply by taking a positive feed direct from your battery (which you say is OK), one to the main terminal (big one) as per normal, and then touching another wire connected to the battery positive to the smaller (usually a spade) connector on the solenoid which SHOULD make it work.

 

If you get no joy then, you will know your starter is U/S.

Edited February 8, 2009 by DrSarty

[Ethos 0]

Thanks mate, I thought as much (confirmed by you and Benjy).

 

Makes troubleshooting a bit easier

[Super Josh 4]

I'm a little confused by your post. So the old cable had a shagged +ve clamp and you've had a new one made up. You can't get the nut off the back of the alternator.

 

So have you fitted the new cable to the battery and starter, but not fitted it to the alternator or do you still have the old cable in place?

 

 

 

Josh

[Ethos 0]

I had a thought it wasn't that clear

 

I have fitted the new cable but haven't connected up the alternator cable yet as part of the old cable is still on there (cut it off just after the nut).

 

So ignoring the nut problem I can focus on why it isn't cranking over.

 

Starter motor / damp seems to be my main idea at the moment. I've tried push it in 1st and it won't start.

[philfingers 5]

be wary about running the motor with the alt disconnected, it's a sure fire way to cook your alternator. Take the drive belt off if it's disconnected electrically. It should start ok with out the alternator tho, you just won't be charging the battery

[Ethos 0]

Thanks for the heads up mate, my plan was to run it for 10 minutes or so to get it up to temp

[Ethos 0]

You can test your starter & solenoid simply by taking a positive feed direct from your battery (which you say is OK), one to the main terminal (big one) as per normal, and then touching another wire connected to the battery positive to the smaller (usually a spade) connector on the solenoid which SHOULD make it work.

 

If you get no joy then, you will know your starter is U/S.

 

 

I took a positive feed straight from the battery to both the ring and spade, it clicked slightly then nothing... and wouldn't click again.

 

Guessing this is bye bye starter motor...

 

I've managed to pick up a New Valeo starter fo cheap, but it has a ring connection instead of a spade. Guessing this isn't a massive issue though...

Edited February 14, 2009 by Ethos

[Ethos 0]

Well I fitted the new starter motor (slimmer Valeo) and it's doing exactly the same thing.

 

Bit stuck now... any ideas?

[Ethos 0]

Thanks to Steve@Cornwall for his excellent fault finding skills again!!

 

Turned out it was the earth on the gearbox, we cleaned that up and it worked straight away.

 

Now, I just need to work out why i'm only getting 12v @ the battery whilst running

 

The main terminal on the alternator that goes to the battery was spinning around so I had to put some pliers on the inside to get the nut off. Wonder if something has sheered off inside...

Edited February 15, 2009 by Ethos