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Author Topic: is my alternator about to die  (Read 880 times)

Offline richard s

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is my alternator about to die
« on: 08 December 2008, 21:03 »
set off on my way home tonight car started fine and drove fine then when i got onto dual carriageway battery light came on a few time but it was very dim and then after that nothing came on even though at times i was stuck in traffic with lights/radio on and heater now and then
do you recon my alternator is going to die soon or am i reading to much into it
cheers
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Offline Jay

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Re: is my alternator about to die
« Reply #1 on: 08 December 2008, 21:09 »
How tight is it? Could it have been slipping?
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Offline Mew

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Re: is my alternator about to die
« Reply #2 on: 08 December 2008, 21:10 »
Checked the belt tension? Was it raining?
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Offline richard s

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Re: is my alternator about to die
« Reply #3 on: 08 December 2008, 21:31 »
it was raining but belt wasnt slipping belt does squeal now and then when freezing and full load is on but it wasnt doing it tonight
car had only been running for a couple of minutes and was doing it when accelerating upto speed and a bit when cruising then it behaved as normal
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Offline shaunmk2gti

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Re: is my alternator about to die
« Reply #4 on: 08 December 2008, 22:08 »
Hi mate my alternator does that when i first start it up the dash lights are dim and the headlights if i rev it over 3000revs it all get brighter and its fine but if i cruise around for ages under 3000 with the lights on and radio, wipers and heater the battery light will flicker but a quick rev sorts it. All it is is a weak alternator means its on it way out but mines been like it ages so dont worry
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Offline rubjonny

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Re: is my alternator about to die
« Reply #5 on: 09 December 2008, 09:54 »
take the bush pack off the back of it, give all the bolt holes and mounting faces a good clean with sandpaper, as the bush pack earths thru one of the bolt holes.  Next use very fine grit sandpaper on the alternator rotor copper contacts whilst spinning it, buff them to a nice shine.  You'll have to take the belt off, but it sounds like it needs a newun anyway if it squeels.
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Offline danny_p

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Re: is my alternator about to die
« Reply #6 on: 09 December 2008, 10:23 »
i'm uber lazy when it comes to alternators and starters,  have a very good auto electrics company in hereford.   plonk it on there desk and it comes back abiout 15 mins later all mended and it cheeper to have them test supply and fit parts than buy them off the motor factors  :smiley: :smiley:
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Offline richard s

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Re: is my alternator about to die
« Reply #7 on: 09 December 2008, 19:25 »
cheers for the replys guys
i dont know why it did it but it was under acceleration when it did but to be on the safe side i went to an auto electricians near work and had it tested and he says its charging as it should
just a bit anxious about a breakdown as only second week in new job and i dont think they would appreciate me not coming in due to car problems
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