[928uk] Re: [928GB] Alternator

[John Jeffries]

Graham
How accurate is the voltmeter on the dash?
I've noticed that when I start the car after 2 weeks of no use (battery a bit low!), the gauge reads just under 14 volts. After 15 miles of driving the gauge settles at just over 12 volts. Is this normal?
I guess that once the battery is fully charged, the alternator provides less output??
John
86 S2





========================================
Message date : Jan 04 2004, 09:33 PM
>From : Graham Bates 
To : 928GB at yahoogroups.com, 928uk at 928.org.uk
Copy to : 
Subject : [928uk] Re: [928GB] Alternator

Paul,
       Its possible the alternator just failed but more likely to be dirty and loose connectors. Best bet is to start at the battery, recharge it first and check the cells with a Hydrometer. Carry out a capacity test on the battery to see if it is serviceable. Seeing the car just changed hands the battery life may have expired. 
    Clean the battery terminals till they are shiny then move forward and clean all the terminals on the starter motor and All the earth points on the car. Start the car and check the voltage of the alternator at the jump start terminal in the engine bay, it should be around 13.5 volts, don't take much notice of the dashboard gauge.
    Also check the tension of the alternator belt. That flat belt has to be really tight, if I recall correctly its about 9 on the gauge (timing belt is 5).
    The alternators can be rebuilt, they are a pain to get off and on though so check everything else first.
    My money is on the battery.

Regards,
Graham Bates '82 928s

Hi

We were looking at a new owners car today (John Bevan) 83S2 and whilst looking the car died of a flat battery. It appears the battery isn't charging, nothing on the dash meter and nothing showing on the electrical test meter.
My limited electrical knowledge suggests a problem with the alternator. Is it possible to get a local auto electrician to refurb these alternators or is it a case of buy another one. Or is there something else obvious weve overlooked.
Help required to restore a new owners pride and joy back to the road.

Cheers

Paul 86S2





[ (no filename) (0.1 Kb) ]
Freeserve AnyTime - HALF PRICE for the first 3 months - Save £7.50 a month 
www.freeserve.com/anytime
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.928.org.uk/pipermail/928uk/attachments/20040105/72245051/attachment.html