Alternators...

[ayeyew]

Hey guys,

I think that the regulator in my alternator may be beginning to play up, i notice headlight dimming and revs dropping when i turn on A/C or use power windows etc...

A few questions:

1. How much would the regulator cost to replace?

2. How much would the entire alternator cost to replace? I heard that it is quite an expensive alternator?

3. I am putting in a sound system in my car on Wednesday, would the alternator crap itself it i put in the optima D34 battery which i have?

4. Should i just put the battery in and see if that fixes the problem? Could it be the battery itself which causes this?

That's about it

thanks guys

[b2tf]

The alts arent expensive to replace as they are the same from EF-AU (actually i think it might even be longer than that), but if youre putting a new battery in id be inclined to see if that actually helps the problem first.

[bodes-sh]

also, it may be worth adding some earth cables, i have the same problem in mine, haven't done anything to fix it yet tho, coming to a stop at night the lights will dip, also with the dash in diag mode sometimes just after take off from a stop with the lights on it shows a voltage drop of about 2v....

[Jastel]

You can change regulators for around $120, parts only
But it does take some time to pull apart and resolder etc
So the labour costs add up

A trip to the wreckers would be cheaper I reckon
Just make sure you DON'T get a Visteon one which is what a lot of the early models AU had, the later ones are Mitsubishi, much better alternator
They were expensive when new but now they shouldn't be too bad, Supercheap, Autobarn etc all sell them

[Oo_xrsx_oO]

Mine was playing up late last year when power steering fluid was leaking on it so I looked at having it replaced. I was told its easier to replace the whole unit rather than just the regulator. Quoted around $350 for a newy installed. Pretty sure the same alternators were used right up until BA as well.

Alternators are what power the electrical system when the engine is running and only charge the battery - so it won't be your battery as it sounds like the alternator isn't holding its charge from what you have described

[ayeyew]

$350 sounds alright. I was told $500 by a place around my way :(

[5.0 ED]

The alternator is not the same from ef - au, the ef one is smaller and lower current rating, they actually bolt up on a slight different angle on the alternator, which makes the el pully further away, as in put an el one on an ef, and you really should be putting on a longer belt.

Ayeyew - I'd be putting in your new battery, and the fact that you say your rev's drop when you use your power windows is a sign that your alternator is in fact good, any extra electrical load presented to an alternator should put on extra load slowing the engine slightly, the whole buffer/absorber for this extra load is your battery.

[ayeyew]

Another thing i have noticed is that when i turn the car on full lock the revs drop quite a bit. Nearly feels like it is gonna stall sometimes, lol.

Im hoping it is just the battery! I'll put it in tomorrow and see what happens.

[75van]

Originally Posted by ayeyew

Another thing i have noticed is that when i turn the car on full lock the revs drop quite a bit. Nearly feels like it is gonna stall sometimes, lol.

I'v always been told not to hold your steering wheel over on full lock to stop the pump wearing out / working too hard - I always go to full lock then release the wheel to stop the pump.

[Whoosha]

Just had #2 son Wnaply S3 SR.checked head to toe for the simular problems
the alternator was fine at a charge rate of 14.8 volts. not to many will reco them so new was the only option if it was shagged.. Trade price was around $220 + . turns out the RACV extra heavy duty battery thats 4 months out of its 2 year warranaty wasn"t that heavy duty : so a new super crank century has gone in (dam they have gone up 30% in the last 12 months $160t) the miss at low idle with the lights on has gone as to has the drop in revs at idle : . A tip from the autolec was 60% of all the AU alternators he had replaced dyed because power streering fluid leaked into them from that bodgee swivel joiner so keep an eye on them for leaks.

[5.0 ED]

Yeah the alternators dont seem to like the tranny fluid much, i had tranny fluid spilled all over one of mine once, my brother poor degreaser all over it, next thing i knew it was on fire, something caused alternator to conduct on the brushes and the degreaser went up, stuffed that alternator.

[Mechan1k]

I conked out as I rolled into a loading dock in castle hill ... I knew it was the alternator as the PS reservoir was leaking into it ... I called NRMA ... they came out and replaced it on the side of the road for $300.

I was impressed ... especially for the brand new item.

[5.0 ED]

Hey thats not bad at all.

[CPOCSM]

Just had the same thing happen to me on the EB XR8. The Motorcraft alternator is flicking between 14.8V and 12.9V but kind of has steadied after a long road trip this morning. I went out to Ford Spares at Mitchell and pulled out the Alternator from an EF Fairmont(V8 one) and had I think the Mitsubishi one in it. I took it out and compared it and looks like it is going to fit. Where does the little plug in the motorcraft alternator go(not the ones going into the regulator, the little one on the top of the alternator...) asthe EF doesnt have this plug(I think it is the dash indicator...).

Ford wanted $1200 for a new motorcraft and $475 just for the regulator and bushes...I nearly fell over!!! I cant believe Ford can look you in the eye and tell you that price is correct...blatant robbery!!

I am going to attempt to get the alternator in this afternoon and see how it goes...

[HLC]

ive been having some issues with my alt as well. and my p/s pump is leaking solooks like that is the solution.

so reco'ing a powersteering pump... how do i do it?

[Beer Baron]

Originally Posted by HLC

ive been having some issues with my alt as well. and my p/s pump is leaking solooks like that is the solution.

so reco'ing a powersteering pump... how do i do it?

I think the only leaks the pump usually get are the hose fittings and front pulley seal. You can buy seal kits off Ebay along with recoed pumps for $160

[HLC]

ive got a seal kit. but i dont wanna just start pulling the thing apart and stuff it up, since this is my one and only car and i need it for work.

i have no problems ripping the suspension out or playing with the brakes, but that sort of stuff scares me a little lol.

[mik]

i bought a brand newey off ebay some time ago( earlier this year) $250.00 :

[JC]

Bayford parts are selling limited stock of AU alternators for $180 to suit the I6. Brand newies!

Ronwest had some success blasgting his with water and it seemed to survive OK - might be worth a try as a short term fix.

[tango07]

The power steering oil leaked into my alternator and it caught fire. it burnt the wires going into the Alternator . Now i dont know where the wires go. My ford falcon is a 1989 EA falcon sedan. Are any of these alternators hard wired? ( no plugs.)

[frd906]

Lol thread is a little old, also this is the au section, on the e series section unless u own a au

[Dave_Obsession]

Seriously though, this is the AU Falcon section - try posting your question in the E-series
forums to get some E-series related help

[robbyj]

Perhaps he just did a search and found this thread.
As for the question.. i dont know

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by JC

Ronwest had some success blasgting his with water and it seemed to survive OK - might be worth a try as a short term fix.

That was over 12 months ago and still going strong

My brother had alt problems a month ago. Same deal:- remove, spray can of degreaser into it, wash out, dry with compressed air, reinstall, drive happily for years...

Methinks many AU (and prev models with dripping power steering oil) have had alternators replaced or reconditioned when a $2 can of degreaser would have sufficed.

[kebbard]

Anyone know where i can get new brushes for a Visteon alternator??
Can't afford to replace the alternator atm :-(