GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: scottishpedro on 29 October 2012, 21:01
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Hi all.
I experienced two different problems with my 1990 8v MK2 golf GTI today.
Firstly, the car would not start after work today. It has been a bit weak when starting the past month or so but today it turned over a few times without starting. I had my jump leads and after my mate got me going the drive home was fine.
About 2-3 months ago the car failed to start, and Mr AA diagnosed it as the alternator. I replaced it with 2nd hand one, and things were fine for a day or two, then I had to renew the contact between the wire running from alternator to starter motor (at the starter motor end). The wire was a bit corroded but everything has been fine since then until now.
I took some voltage readings tonight from the battery:
12.6v car off
10.8 volts while starting car
13.1v at idle
With car at idle:
Dropped to 12.3v with headlights on
Dropped to 11.9v with full beam, fogs, rear window heater and stereo on
Back up to 12.4v with everything off
Does this seem like a charging or battery issue?
2nd problem was just something I noticed after taking voltage readings. I went out for a drive and when trying to pull away, the engine would not rev above 2k without struggling/almost cutting out but this seemed to settle after a minute or so. When back and bonnet open I heard a slight hissing noise coming from top of engine, noticed this slightly perished rubber end which was loose (what is this?).
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj310/PRGoudie/02120D61-2016-4CE0-8CED-C58EA137A775-954-00000110E2D12CA5.jpg)
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj310/PRGoudie/FDE943A9-B418-4256-99E2-FC0EB2E81378-954-00000110E9BDE9E7.jpg)
Hiss could be from rocker cover gasket? Checked oil yesterday and it was fine, checked tonight and I have lost oil, although it does not seem too bad around the rocker cover.
Any advice would be great
Cheers
Pete
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Alternator is scrap, voltage regulator should be holding steady volts with lights on etc
vacuum pipe has come off the small green tee piece you can see in 1st pic below black pipe
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Alternator is scrap, voltage regulator should be holding steady volts with lights on etc
vacuum pipe has come off the small green tee piece you can see in 1st pic below black pipe
I have been reading around and the suggestion is with car at idle there should be around 14 volts accross the battery, so the 13.1v mine is reading confirms that my alternator is goosed? I replaced my original alternator about 3 months ago with a 2nd hand one, any suggestions about where to get a reasonably priced new one? I guess if I get another 2n hand one there's a change it has seen better days also?
Cheers
Pete
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Ring round local autosparks they might do refurbed items and take your old one in exchange as part of the cost
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Check the regulator on the alternator first otherwise you are just going to be throwing good money away. They are only a few quid from an autofactors, and usually solve the problem of charging as the bushes wear.
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Cool I'll check that too. I cleaned up the earths last night. Car started today to and from work, but was weak again. When leaving this morning battery voltage was 12.0. After 14 mile commute it was up to 12.5 then at home time it was down to 12.1. Should the voltage drop like this or could there be a drain somewhere?
Thanks for the help
Pete
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alternator is weack
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alternator is weack
Yeah I'm looking into replacing it. They are readily available second hand and cheap, but I guess the risk is the replacement could be weak also.
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Buy a refurb unit
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Oh right, didn't realise they were available, thanks - I'll have a look
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Hi again
I picked up a new (opened from packaging but never fitted) Bosch alternator from
eBay for a great price, and just had a look at them
side by side. It looks like a straight swap, other than the black piece in the middle that has a wire that plugs into b+ slot. What is this and is it something isn't required on the new alternator?
New alternator
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj310/PRGoudie/4663D1FC-9807-47FA-8E2B-43B118FB9C2D-6879-000007E2A905DE43.jpg)
Current alternator
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj310/PRGoudie/1AFDB764-0610-44C6-86C6-BAB1B98FD0B3-6879-000007E2B13FAC54.jpg)
Thanks in advance
Pedro
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it isnt needed. your new alternator will work fine without it.
edit: turns out your black plug is a "Suppression Condenser" on older alternators for radio interference etc
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7822794_condenser-do-alternator.html
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it isnt needed. your new alternator will work fine without it.
edit: turns out your black plug is a "Suppression Condenser" on older alternators for radio interference etc
http://www.ehow.com/facts_7822794_condenser-do-alternator.html
Great thanks, I should get it fitted tomorrow fingers crossed
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Alternator fitted and running at 13.5v at idle. I got he battery checked out and it seems fine. Hopefully that will resolve things but I will be back looking for more advice if not! Thanks for your help.
Pedro
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whats it at with everything turned on?
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whats it at with everything turned on?
Tested voltage at battery tonight, (car a bit weak starting again)
12.3 car off
13.3 at idle
13.0 lights on
12.7 full beam
12.4 fogs
12.0 rear heated screen
11.7 interior heater
11.6 stereo
Tested straight after car off and up to 12.5.
Hmm. I had a look at a wire that goes from alternator to starter motor that looks a bit corroded at starter motor end, could this cause such problems? I will try cleaning that up tomorrow and see.
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If its any use, I have had similar problems with my golf. Battery only receiving 12.7 volts (at idle) before anything was turned on. Almost lost all lights on the motorway the other night as I had on lights, heater, demister, wipers radio even front fogs as the weather was horiffic. Couldn't get a replacement voltage regulator as it was an unknown alternator. Anyway, bought a replacement alternator from GSF yday and its producing 14.4 v at idle. I would have thought your alternator would be producing a higher voltage that what your measuring currently.
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If its any use, I have had similar problems with my golf. Battery only receiving 12.7 volts (at idle) before anything was turned on. Almost lost all lights on the motorway the other night as I had on lights, heater, demister, wipers radio even front fogs as the weather was horiffic. Couldn't get a replacement voltage regulator as it was an unknown alternator. Anyway, bought a replacement alternator from GSF yday and its producing 14.4 v at idle. I would have thought your alternator would be producing a higher voltage that what your measuring currently.
Cheers for the reply. I think I have now solved this issue. The new alternator was charging at at 13.5v. I found a badly corroded wire which goes from the alternator to the starter motor, I cleaned it up and I now charges at 14.2v. Hopefully that's it sorted!
Thanks
Pedro