Alternator not charging

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Geoff30

New Member
Posts
117
Location
solihull, west mids
After my outing to Sibbertoft on Sunday my alternator has stopped charging.
The rev counter and batt warning light no longer work, the RAC man tells me that if I get the light working again my alternator will start charging again, is this right??

Also my disco is a 93-94 model according to mr haynes pre 93 models have a fusable link between the alternator and the warning light where would this be as I did get water up and over the seats inside :doh:
 
Is the alternator working? What voltage do you get at the battery?

If its under 14v when engine is running.. then its dead and best go buy a new alternator.
Or you could chance it and end up stuck with no lights in the middle of nowhere.
 
The fusible links are in the main cable from the +ve battery terminal about 250 mm from the terminal. They are wrapped in pvc tape and look like a lump in the cable. Undo tape to expose the actual links. The chances are they are badly corroded or non existent. Just sort / replace as required. It's a good idea if you can, to replace them with a proper fuse panel like in later disco's. It's a crap arrangement.
 
Discoandy said:
Is the alternator working? What voltage do you get at the battery?

If its under 14v when engine is running.. then its dead and best go buy a new alternator.
Or you could chance it and end up stuck with no lights in the middle of nowhere.
Click to expand...

Apparently there is no charge coming out the alternator at all, but the RAC man was adamant that this would be solved by fixing my batt warning light :confused:

Thanks for info about the fuse links, will definitely be checking them, according to haynes the newer disco does not have one unless I reading it wrong.
 
Geoff30 said:
Apparently there is no charge coming out the alternator at all, but the RAC man was adamant that this would be solved by fixing my batt warning light :confused:
Click to expand...


The alternator needs an exciter voltage to make it work proper - that voltage comes via the warning light from the battery.
 
Geoff30 said:
Apparently there is no charge coming out the alternator at all, but the RAC man was adamant that this would be solved by fixing my batt warning light :confused:

Thanks for info about the fuse links, will definitely be checking them, according to haynes the newer disco does not have one unless I reading it wrong.
Click to expand...

Yup, there are a few of them, they are now on they lower level of the engine bay fusebox not wraped in tape as on the early D1's :)

Also I have in my toolbox an LED battery/alternator tester it gives an instant indication. got it off ebay for £5 +pp.
 
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I had this on my '93 when I first bought it. The guy gave me another alternator, which the bearings were 'cattled' so I swapped over just the diode pack, and it worked fine after that.
 
on the alternator at the back you have three wires two of them are bolted and one has a spade end.the thinnest of the two that are bolted is the warning lamp circuit and all you need to do is disconnect it and then earth it out with the ignition switch on and see if your battery light comes on. if it does your fault lies with the alternator.the wire with the spade end is the feed for your rev counter and the biggest of all three is the main feed from your battery.
 
Seems the alternator is at fault, tried earthing the warning light wire and yes the light comes on. Bought one off fleabay wait for that to arrive and see waht happens I guess. Also need a new starter as mine sticks now.
 
Starter sticking should be DIY fixable.

Getting the bugger off isn't so easy ... there's a recent thread giving good advice.

Rave says ....

Remove
1. Release fixings and remove battery cover.
2. Disconnect battery earth lead. (Remember this buggers your radio code)
3. Raise front of vehicle.
WARNING: Do not work on or under a
vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
support the vehicle on safety stands.

4. Remove underbelly panel.

5. Disconnect Lucar connector from starter solenoid.

6. Remove nut and disconnect battery lead from starter solenoid.

7. Remove nut and 2 bolts securing starter motor and remove starter motor from engine.

How difficult can that be?

CharlesY
 
a sticking starter should be an easy fix.it is probably gunged up with a mixture of grease, ****e and clutch dust.all you need to do is take the starter off and then spray the bendix drive with wd40 and keep wiping off the ****e until clean.you can then try the starter by connecting to a battery using jumpleads.while the starter is off try and get some grease in the end of the starter so the bush doesnt run dry or it will start to squeal when you operate the starter.
 
colinl said:
a sticking starter should be an easy fix.it is probably gunged up with a mixture of grease, ****e and clutch dust.all you need to do is take the starter off and then spray the bendix drive with wd40 and keep wiping off the ****e until clean.you can then try the starter by connecting to a battery using jumpleads.while the starter is off try and get some grease in the end of the starter so the bush doesnt run dry or it will start to squeal when you operate the starter.
Click to expand...

Hey ... you should tell the guy that when he does that with his jump leads the starter motor will throw a fit and take off across the floor. Make sure the dog isn't in the way. But you can try to get the cat to sit in the line of fire ...

CharlesY
 
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