Help needed series 1 not charging

61galwagon · 11-09-2011, 05:08 PM

I hope someone on here can shed some light on the situation i have a series 1 fairmont 6 cyl in the last 4 months iv`e put 3 alternators in it first one was second hand wrecker job all i could afford at the time it lasted a month wasn`t happy but they replaced it with another one ,that one has only lasted 3 months again not happy so this time i have put a brand new onein it not a reco ,this is were the problem has just got worse as this one is not charging either it lasted all of one min charging , what other problem could i have.

Beer Baron · 11-09-2011, 07:04 PM

Is your power steering leaking on the alternator ?

61galwagon · 11-09-2011, 08:14 PM

There is a small leak and that is getting fixed as well but it's not leaking enough for it to be todays problem

4ford · 11-09-2011, 09:13 PM

I would be checking all the earth's I could find, as well as a good connection at both the positive and negative battery terminals.

Something is common here, and it doesn't appear to be the alternator(s)!...with the possible exception of the power steering fluid, as mentioned earlier.

How are you detecting that the alternator is not charging...I'm guessing by the fact that the charging light is illuminated!

All that light tells you is that the supply battery voltage is exceeding the alternator output voltage.
I suggest you put a meter across the battery terminals with the engine at around 1,000 RPM, and check the reading, it should be around 14.5v to 14.7v.

During all these alternator changes, is the battery noticeably losing it's charge, is it going flat?

Cheers

Beer Baron · 11-09-2011, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4ford

I would be checking all the earth's I could find, as well as a good connection at both the positive and negative battery terminals.

Something is common here, and it doesn't appear to be the alternator(s)!...with the possible exception of the power steering fluid, as mentioned earlier.

How are you detecting that the alternator is not charging...I'm guessing by the fact that the charging light is illuminated!

All that light tells you is that the supply battery voltage is exceeding the alternator output voltage.
I suggest you put a meter across the battery terminals with the engine at around 1,000 RPM, and check the reading, it should be around 14.5v to 14.7v.

During all these alternator changes, is the battery noticeably losing it's charge, is it going flat?

Cheers

What he said. If there is bad earths and the alt cant flow current it will play kill itself.

Power steering fluid kills them too like it did on mine. $220 for a new alternator.

61galwagon · 12-09-2011, 11:41 AM

Diagnoses of dead alt was made from alt putting out less than 11 volts and then talking to auto elec aswell. All terminals have been checked , went and started car this morning same thing then all of a sudden the revs dropped to about 900 rpm at idle and alt started to work with out me doing anything so i'm still stumped at what it was just happy that it's now charging

mik · 12-09-2011, 05:00 PM

your 2nd handies may have been at the end of their service life,.............my alternator gave up the ghost at 193000, a pretty good innings i reckon, the new one i fitted did`nt charge for a minute, i was thinking oh bugger , i`ve got a dud, but i give it a few revs 1500/2000 rpm, and it came good, i was wondering if the new brushes may need a little wear off the contact surface before they get going, because it has`nt missed a beat since, that`s my theory anyway

.

david lee · 12-09-2011, 05:18 PM

i had the same problem it was a leaking power steering hose and it stuffed the alternator i suggest you fix your leak before you have more problems

Day-mow · 22-11-2011, 01:21 AM

i have a similar issue. my power steering has a weep. but alt has been fine. now just coming home the light was on to say it wasn't charging and my volt meter was pretty low but when i ws driving around 60 the light went off and it charged up a bit. suggestions?

The Monty · 22-11-2011, 07:35 AM

Tried a new battery?

Day-mow · 22-11-2011, 09:27 AM

Replaced it last Christmas. So figure it's not that.
When its about 3,000 rpm it goes out. Is that odd?

XRGhia · 22-11-2011, 09:36 AM

Regulator maybe?....

Day-mow · 22-11-2011, 09:54 AM

What's that mean ?

XRGhia · 22-11-2011, 09:55 AM

Regulates the voltage/charge coming from the alt...

Day-mow · 22-11-2011, 10:05 AM

Where do I find it how do I check it.

XRGhia · 22-11-2011, 10:13 AM

You know those two wires going to the grey socket on the side of the alternator, just next to the main power wire?

that's where it is... stuffed if i know how to get to it though.. easier to replace it

Day-mow · 22-11-2011, 10:30 AM

So replace the regulator or the alternator ?

XRGhia · 22-11-2011, 10:32 AM

Alt....

I'd just get one to test with off a mate (See if Shav or someone has a spare they can lend you), and if that works, get a new one...