Alternator thoughts from anyone
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Alternator thoughts from anyone
I have been running my alternator now for about 3 years, yesterday on a drive the light in the dash came on and I could see from the volt meter that it was at about 12 volts ( most time it runs about 14) On the next start up the light stayed on for about 5 minutes then went out meter went to 14volts for about half the ride home then back to light on and 12volts. Didn't seem to matter if lights were on or not.
I changed the bushing from another alternator I had and no difference.
So is there anything else I should check before I pull the alternator out and replace it?
I changed the bushing from another alternator I had and no difference.
So is there anything else I should check before I pull the alternator out and replace it?
- aircooledtechguy
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
If the alternator is a Bosch AL-82N, the "N" signifies that it's made with all new parts and thus carries a lifetime warranty. You should be able to exchange it for a new one for free. . . Just sayin'
OTOH, if you have one of the Chinese knock-offs, well,. . . you're on your own.
Good Luck!!
OTOH, if you have one of the Chinese knock-offs, well,. . . you're on your own.
Good Luck!!
- Devastator
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
Look for a place nearby that can test and rebuild it if needed. Usually a lot cheaper than replacing it.
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2.4 liter, supercharged Chevy Ecotec
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"If everything seems under control, you're just not
going fast enough."
Mario Andretti
- theKbStockpiler
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
I would check and clean all connections ,battery etcetera. Also sounds like the classic (lazy regulator syndrome) and seems to be temperature dependent. I think re-manufactures try to make the regulators too cheap and crank out a batch of marginal ones until they get a lot of warranty returns and then go the other way.
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- Marc
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
Because of the variations between models over the years, few parts-sellers bother to try and stock replacement regulators and brush-holder assemblies for Type I alternators - the parts do exist, they're just a bit difficult to hunt down. The brushes themselves are often identical to the ones used in newer Bosch waterpumper alternators, and there are even some small electric-motor (vacuum cleaner) brushes that can be fit without too much effort.
Ordinarily I wouldn't expect brushes to be an issue after only three years' service, but sometimes you find that the brush "pigtail" was misrouted due to sloppy assembly and when the brush wears a little the pigtail fouls on the frame and prevents it from making good contact with the slip rings. In an unusually dirty/dusty environment, the slip rings can suffer premature wear as well - if one of them gets a non-conductive layer of detritus on it there may not be a good current path to the field winding.
Without getting too ambitious, you can remove the screws securing the brush-holder assembly and gingerly lift it up; peer down in with a good flashlight and see if the slip rings are both still shiny-copper-looking, and see if one of the brushes is protruding from the holder less because its pigtail is caught up.
I've succeeded in adding several useful years to "dead" alternators by doing nothing more than polishing the slip rings with some crocus cloth and rerouting a brush pigtail (or replacing the brushes with parts raided from a Rabbit alternator).
Not promising that this is your problem, but it's worth a look.
Ordinarily I wouldn't expect brushes to be an issue after only three years' service, but sometimes you find that the brush "pigtail" was misrouted due to sloppy assembly and when the brush wears a little the pigtail fouls on the frame and prevents it from making good contact with the slip rings. In an unusually dirty/dusty environment, the slip rings can suffer premature wear as well - if one of them gets a non-conductive layer of detritus on it there may not be a good current path to the field winding.
Without getting too ambitious, you can remove the screws securing the brush-holder assembly and gingerly lift it up; peer down in with a good flashlight and see if the slip rings are both still shiny-copper-looking, and see if one of the brushes is protruding from the holder less because its pigtail is caught up.
I've succeeded in adding several useful years to "dead" alternators by doing nothing more than polishing the slip rings with some crocus cloth and rerouting a brush pigtail (or replacing the brushes with parts raided from a Rabbit alternator).
Not promising that this is your problem, but it's worth a look.
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
Thanks for all the input. Seems like one of the brushes had a crack in it. Just trying locate some more.
- Marc
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
As I said, it may be hard to find a replacement brush-holder assembly locally - but brushes from a more modern Bosch alternator often will fit. If all else fails take a sample to the local vacuum-cleaner repair shop, they may have something that'll work. Motor brushes typically have a higher copper content so that they can handle more current, but that won't stop them from working as field brushes.
- Devastator
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
Post a picture of the part you can't locate, and I might be able to make you a replacement.
Devastator's Build Thread
Sandrail
2.4 liter, supercharged Chevy Ecotec
"If everything seems under control, you're just not
going fast enough."
Mario Andretti
Sandrail
2.4 liter, supercharged Chevy Ecotec
"If everything seems under control, you're just not
going fast enough."
Mario Andretti
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
I'll try and get a shot up in the next couple days. Everyone here is gone back home to visit family for two weeks so I'm trying to get as much done on my chop top project.
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
Nate from Provolks can get brushes for the alternators if you need them.
Stripped66 wrote:The point wasn't to argue air temps with the current world record holder, but to dispel the claim that the K03 is wrapped up at 150 HP. It's not.
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
Here is a shot, as you can see both are broken.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- Marc
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
Take a look at the one Mofoco stocks, it may be what you need: http://www.mofoco.com:/item/VW_BUG_BUS_ ... H/2346/c62
I can't promise it but I think these brushes will fit your holder. These ones were used in the original German Bosch alternators of the `70s/`80s - they may have retained the same dimensions on the Brazilian-made ones:
Or just go to an auto electric shop like stealth67vw did:
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... 4&t=126523
I can't promise it but I think these brushes will fit your holder. These ones were used in the original German Bosch alternators of the `70s/`80s - they may have retained the same dimensions on the Brazilian-made ones:
Or just go to an auto electric shop like stealth67vw did:
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... 4&t=126523
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
Every time I try and register with Mofoco I get this message
Account Registration
Please Leave the Number Field Blank.
I don't see any number field in the form to fill out and register.
I'll have to give them a call and see if they ship to Canada
Account Registration
Please Leave the Number Field Blank.
I don't see any number field in the form to fill out and register.
I'll have to give them a call and see if they ship to Canada
- Marc
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Re: Alternator thoughts from anyone
Didn't realize you were in Canada. Cheapest postage for a 4 oz package is US$7.35, plus you may have to pay customs duty. If I were you I'd keep looking in-country.
If the one pictured at Mofoco looks like yours, the Bosch part number is: 9 121 080 281
The "loose" brushes are from ACDelco and shouldn't be hard to find anywhere: E725A
Or, you might be able to find a brushholder assembly for an original German alternator and raid the brushes from it, I think they'll interchange: http://www.autopartsway.ca/PartList.cfm ... enum1/tabS
If the one pictured at Mofoco looks like yours, the Bosch part number is: 9 121 080 281
The "loose" brushes are from ACDelco and shouldn't be hard to find anywhere: E725A
Or, you might be able to find a brushholder assembly for an original German alternator and raid the brushes from it, I think they'll interchange: http://www.autopartsway.ca/PartList.cfm ... enum1/tabS