Tech question - electrics- update - v low alt voltage...

[nigel bickle]

Earth is fairly standard early Fiat -so unless its frayed -its unlikley to be the issue.

 

if the alternators putting out 18v -its fine ,but the regulator might not be. if you've tried several batteries- its clearly NOT a dead cell as i suggesated.

 

I'd try for an additional external regualtor first- or a good auto electrician!

 

Havent yet found any air filters that look relevant -but I'll have a further womble round the back

[scooters]

Earth is fairly standard early Fiat -so unless its frayed -its unlikley to be the issue.

 

if the alternators putting out 18v -its fine ,but the regulator might not be. if you've tried several batteries- its clearly NOT a dead cell as i suggesated.

 

I'd try for an additional external regualtor first- or a good auto electrician!

 

Havent yet found any air filters that look relevant -but I'll have a further womble round the back

 

 

Thanks fellah - further investigation late last night seems to confirm the regulator - I'll get a new one ordered up ...almost exactly the same problem I had with the 850 - oh the irony!

 

don't worry re airbox - I'll get another one from the OC or bung on a K&N

 

R

[nigel bickle]

Strange that. I wouldnt have expected an ew 'un to fail -but i cant see its anything else -unless you've a bizarre wiring issue..

 

@spect its a standard Fiat issue interior -its only the outer casing thats different to most.

[scooters]

had a day off horrible old cars and this evening jumped up the Yug again to wave the multimeter at the bastard whilst it is light.

 

Sure enough - voltage across the terminals is a measly 11.5 Volts - struggling up to 11.8 - no variation under load -

 

When the lights are on the voltage across the terminals drops to 10.2 Volts..and switching the lights on almost caused the car to stall.

 

So when I drove it the other day in the Pissing rain for an hour - wipers and lights on - flat as a tranny's chest..,.

 

idling it at the moment so charging at 11.5 volts - at least it is trickle chargibg the battery!

 

So - looks like it is the fecking alternator - or at least the rectifer...

 

However,

 

one last gambit is I am going to check the fan belt tension again - it was pretty loose when the battery ran flat in Nothumbria 2 weeks ago and it may have slipped with all the pissing around - I did note that there is no way of 'locking' the alternator into plaxce once tensioned other than putting some serious torque on it - if this is the cause I can feel a wonderbodge coming up!

 

I just about suspect it is cos it does explain how well the battery was charging on return from Northumbria and after I had tensioned it last time..

[scooters]

right - checked after 30 mins on the idle - switched off and no charge in the battery at all - changed for a different battery - this one is a ruddy gread 52ah 560amp beast from an XJ6 - been sitting around for a year but still carrying some charge - wired her up - tightened the alternator belt - jump started and still the same 11.5v readinf actoss the terminals and from the alternator terminal to the battery earth as well - dropped to 10.5 with the lights on...

 

giving it another 30mins of idle to get some charge into the beast battery - then we'll see what is what..

 

looks like I'll have to sorce another alternator - a few on ebay anything from 60 quid upwards - the main problem being 5-7 day delivery...

 

might try my motor factor tomorrow - he did source me the cheapest starter motor..

 

unlwss anyone has a decent Fiat/Lancia/Autobianchi/old Seat 35 amp alt kicking around?