dead205 0 Posted May 2, 2006 My car has been stood for about 18 months without moving or being turned over. Everything is now running but there is a whining from the alternator and the car feels like it's being held back under acceleration. I removed the belt and the whining stops and the car feels much better. However turning the alternator pully by hand doesn't reveal any stiffness or undue grittiness or grinding - could this be an electrical issue or will I need to get it reconned or replaced? mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davemar 16 Posted May 4, 2006 Is the belt simply too tight? If it is you might be jamming the rotor in the alternator so it can't turn freely. You want about 1-1.5cm of play along the longest run of the fan belt to get a reasonable tension. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trickywoo 0 Posted May 5, 2006 Is the belt simply too tight? If it is you might be jamming the rotor in the alternator so it can't turn freely. You want about 1-1.5cm of play along the longest run of the fan belt to get a reasonable tension. Thats what I thought as well. Just to add that the haynes manual states 5mm of movement under firm thumb pressure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dead205 0 Posted May 8, 2006 Is the belt simply too tight? If it is you might be jamming the rotor in the alternator so it can't turn freely. You want about 1-1.5cm of play along the longest run of the fan belt to get a reasonable tension. The wierd thing is that unless the belt is at it tightest it squeels like a good un. The engine is being laboured right through the rev range from idle up. Its almost as every electrical component is running on the car at the same time!! I just dont want to shell out if there is an easy fix mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 9 Posted May 8, 2006 It would have the be VERY VERY VERY tight to notice any drop in engine power. From the list of 205s you have it shouldn't be hard to borrow one for a test drive to see if the problem is the alternator. Rob P.S. I've had occasion where the squealing was the belt itself (on a 306 having shelled out over £200 for a new power steering pump). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobMGti 0 Posted May 8, 2006 Start the car and whilst it is idling get a multimeter on, then sharply (but not hard) tap the alternator. See if the reading goes up, i ended up getting mine re-condition by an old chap in preston. £40 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dead205 0 Posted May 8, 2006 It would have the be VERY VERY VERY tight to notice any drop in engine power. From the list of 205s you have it shouldn't be hard to borrow one for a test drive to see if the problem is the alternator. Sorry Rob should have mentioned this is on the wifes 106. It was fine before being disused, but when I fired it backup it started eating the belt. I got a new one and tightened to specified limit but it just kept squeeling until tightened right up. Start the car and whilst it is idling get a multimeter on, then sharply (but not hard) tap the alternator. See if the reading goes up Will give this a go tomorrow - I'm guessing if the reading jumps I've got issues? Suppose it's not practical to keep taking the battery off and charging it every night!!! cheers for your replys mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RobMGti 0 Posted May 8, 2006 Yes if it goes up it can indicate seizure. Be warned make sure the tap isnt to hard or you could seriously bugger it up Just a nice sharp tap should do. I cant remember the readings off the top of my head sorry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
