New alternator

[Series 2A]

just fitted a new alternator to my 2a. But for some reason the charge light is constantly on is this because its charging up the battery (was driven for most of the day before while the alternator wasnt working ) or is something wrong

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

sumfings wrong - it int charging.

 

[Series 2A]

Any ideas on what could be the fault. Wires are connected,belt is tight.

 

[Fatboy11]

Sounds like the battery warning light cable to connected to the wrong terminal on the alternator.

 

[Fatboy11]

Have you put a meter on the battery with the engine running to see what voltage you've got ?

 

[Series 2A]

No not yet did before i fitted new one and it was droping like a stone. Theres 3 wires going to the alternator two big and one small. Could it be the two big ones the wrong way round

 

[Fatboy11]

No the 2 big wires are connected to the same place (the 2 connectors are joined inside the alternator). The small wire is the 1 for the dashboard battery light.

Does your alternator have stud & spade connectors on ?

 

[Series 2A]

the alternator has spade connectors. 2 big one 1 small

 

[Fatboy11]

The terminals that the 2 large spade connectors go on to are connected inside the alternator. You can try swapping the 2 large connectors but wouldn't have thought it would make a difference.

Have you checked the voltage output yet ?

 

[Series 2A]

Not yet my mates got me meter. Hopefully get it back tomorrow. Could it be a faulty alternator

 

[Fatboy11]

Could be yes.

 

[Series 2A]

just been for a drive to local shop and charge light is definatley not as bright as it was yesterday. So could it be that the battery was part flat and the alternator is charging it back up ?

 

[The Mad Hat Man]

nooooo - the light should no be on at all

 

[storm99]

It may be overcharging the battery like mine was...dud alternator, goes off the scale if you rev engine whilst measuring voltage.

 

[elsie]

go get a new one , have them check it first though . any good auto electrical dealer should have a test rig .

 

[Series 2A]

The alternator was a brand new one.So there shouldnt be anything wrong with it.

 

[ObiWanKenobi]

I have a similar issue. I just installed a new alternator, and car starts right up. Measured voltage with engine off (after charging a few minutes) and battery 12.28 V. Then tested with engine running: 13.63V. Drove around the block and yet- my ignition check light stays on all the time.

Small wire is connected to alternator. Since it is a new alternator, I'm confident it's something else. I had the same problem on my old alternator and then it stopped working and would not charge the battery when car running.

I guess my question is - does the wire from the alternator go straight to the bulb, then out the other end to the ignition switch? Wiring diagram looks that way. I can then follow the wire testing for continuity. Would that help?

 

[Blackburn]

When ignition is on 12v from ignition goes through the bulb to the alternator through a coil to magnetise and excite the alternator once engine starts and alternator is generating there is the same voltage at each end of the bulb and light goes out. Old alternator may not have been getting the 12V via bulb. An earth some where between bulb and alternator would also give similiar symptons.

 

[ObiWanKenobi]

Ah! Will run tests tonight.
Thanks!

 

[Rodeo Joe]

My charge light never completely goes out, in fact gets brighter if you rev it. Charges ok at about 14v more or less and never had a problem except light stays on.