Charging Problems... This Is Getting A Bit Tiresome Now

[KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars]

Whatever alternator I have on my car there's problems with the charging. The battery is brand new now. And the alternator is an 80amp reconditioned unit with the correct 5 groove Mi16 pulley.

 

The original alternator wire from the starter is badly frayed so when I fitted this recon alternator I connected a battery-thickness wire from the alternator directly to the positive battery terminal. Could that cause problems?

 

When I connect a volt meter to the battery the voltage is shooting up and down wildly!

 

This is confirmed also by the dash battery light which flickers nicely.

 

I guess it's possible that this so-called recon alt is crap but I've had a good half dozen alts in the time I've had this car and the charging has always been somewhat dodgy in one way or another.

[Ricardo 0]

What are your earthing points like?

[KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars]

Well, not 100% sure. The only one I am aware of is the one where negative battery wire attaches to bodywork and then from body to gearbox. I guess I could give 'em a clean but I'm not sure that's the answer.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

If the voltage does that the Voltage Reg is dead, This Recon Alt did you buy it new or via Ebay etc?

[gerlewislewis 0]

how about your cable that goes from the alternator body creating the magnetic field - if this isnt a good connection then the altenrator wont charge the battery.

[KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars]

 

Just been out with a torch and found the wire was loose! (The big wire bolted to alt).

But before you all roll about laughing the reason is it loose is that the original bit of plastic that isolates the leccy between the body of the alt and the big wire had broken in transit so all I had around was a rubber tap washer and the heat has shrunk it, thus causing a loose connection.

 

But just to check, the big wire is held on with a nut but must not be touching the body of the alternator, right?

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

It can touch the Alt if you want, But you'll start welding

[KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars]

Ohh Miles, now you've blown my ecu!

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

I have one here you can buy!!

[KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars]

a 355?

[gerlewislewis 0]

[KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars]

Gawd what a mess! The heat had made everything crusty and black and the tap washer had melted and the insulation on the cable. I'll have to wip it all out and do a proper bewt new connection.

[KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars]

Argh! "Alternator you are really pissing me off!" Sort the wiring and the bastard is still flickering! It's even making the car judder ever so slightly at low revs because of the voltage flying up and down.

[pug309twin40s 1]

stick the multimeter on the output on the alternator when running and see what that is showing, should be 13.5v +, if its all over the place then as miles said already then the voltage regulator is shot!!