Hi guys was hoping someone could help. I have to go pick up the van but it has problems. The alternator light is always on and battery has gone flat. My question is do I need to drop the engine to change out the alternator? It is a newly fitted recon 1.6 for a 1972. Also could it be that the wires are crossed causing this?? I have asked about these two option as it has only just been fitted and has teething problems. So I can only see it being wiring or the alternator was broke before fit. Any help would be much appreciated as I need to know if I should book a hotel etc for a few days work. Thanks all
depends on what sort of alternator do you have do you have a separate regulator? if you have it should be a box on the rear right hand side of the engine bay under the air filter.
On my 79 Bay, the thick wire from the alternator goes to the starter, then back to the battery. Maybe someone's forgotten to connect everything? To test this, you could carefully connect the heavy duty terminal on the alternator directly to the battery positive.
First thing to do when the alt light won't go out: Connect another light (like a test light for timing) to the alt light terminal (D+ light blue wire), and run the car. Sometimes when the alternator sat idle for a while it needs a bit of extra feedback current for the charging to start working again. If it doesn't work, it's probably the regulator.
I have a separate regulator and two wires ontop of the alternator. Engine out job??? I don't think is the regulator as is a new fit engine and the old on had no probs
Put a meter onto the big wire and the metal work on the alternator with the engine running you should get about 16v if not its the alternator ot could be the just the brushes if you do make sure all the wires are in the right place and that the dash bulb is on if you are still not getting 14v at the battery it's the regulator You can take the alternator out with the engine in but it's a bit of a pain
