Charge Light...

Swiftly on to my next problem after getting the lift pump sorted out...

Driving along this morning and the charge light intermittently came on, although very dim, neither completely on or off although seems to appear the faster you go.. I'm presuming a dodgy alternator or brushes? I fitted a reconditioned one about six months ago after the last one jammed.

I'm going to take it off and get it checked, unless anyone has any other ideas?

Fan belt ?

It seems tight enough, I replaced that at the same time as the fan but it could be that. I can't quite put my finger on what it is but it seems to be making an odd noise, like a bearing is on its way out somewhere but I havent quite managed to locate it...

replaced it at the same time as the alternator that should say.....!

drop the belt off the alternator and see if the noise stops, it could be the bearing is dry and on the verge of seizing - or is intermitantly seizing and thus causing your charge light to come on

Beware the REAR bearing of the alternator.
Lots of these are plain bronze bushes, and if they fail the rotor can start hitting the insides of the stator, and make vary bad noises.

Take it off and check it very carefully.

For all they cost, try a re-con if that one isn't still under guarantee.

CharlesY

could it be a loose fan aswell, as in a bolt loose that means it doesnt spin quite right/isnt aligned?

Dropped the alternator off last night, belt looks fine as do the connections, going to get it tested anyway while its off. The noise seems to be coming from the fan, I vaguely remember it doing that before but dont really want to have to take it all to bits, it seems to have very very slight play if you wiggle it backwards and forwards, it just seems to vibrate slightly at a cetain point. The ignition light didnt appear when the key was turned last night, still appearing dim when the engine is revved, it was appearing before. Is there something in the alternator that controls the charge light or maybe it is something else, the ignition or something?

yer charge light comes on as the batt volts pass through it on the way to earth.... yer alt when working pushes the batt volts back up into batt so yer light goes out.... if yer center brush has worn a hole through the alt slip ring then yer light can't earth so will stay out. but prior to this happening you will get a flickering light at any or all engine speeds.

i've only egver seen this happen once before but it might be worth a look see

It was a dodgy connection inside the alternator... I'm still left with the rattle on the fan... may have to start a new thread for that one....!

dantaylor360 said:

It was a dodgy connection inside the alternator... I'm still left with the rattle on the fan... may have to start a new thread for that one....!

Click to expand...

If the fan rattles, check to make sure it sin't loose on the shaft.

If it is, you must sort it soon.

The fan should be trapped rock solid between the pulley and the shaft.

CharlesY