quicky alternator question

driving home last night i was chugging along the duel carriage way in my 300tdi disco doing 80mph when the rev counter suddenly stopped working and the battery light came on. got home ok although the headlights were starting to dim by the time i pulled onto the drive. anyway i got up this morning expecting a flat battery but the disco started at the turn of the key and the rev counter works!. put a volt meter on the battery and had 14.4v on tickover which dropped to 13.6v when i switched all the lights/air con on etc. think that the alternator is on its way out but would appreciate some input before i part with my cash.

Checked the wiring I assume?

Not a bad idea if you do go off road to clean all the contacts up, and a little copper grease doesn't harm.

will check the wiring in the morning. the alternator has been noisy for a while so was thinking maybe its on its way out and could'nt cope with spinning at high speed when i was doing 80mph but works ok when engine is ticking over

If it's been noisy and the bearings are going, that could well be the case.

I had similar with my first RRC. I changed the alternator and never had the problem again, tho the guy at the exchange centre tested before I bought a recon unit from him and said the brushes were well worn and springs behind them weak. Theory couldve been they were being knocked out of contact with the armature when spinning at hi revs, maybe?

took the alternator off this morning , recon it's fooked?

new alternator now fitted, fingers crossed:smokin: