Would faulty alternator prevent car from cranking?

Hi
I have a freelander commercial td4. It had the dreaded click so I bought an ebay starter motor refurb kit. Tested the starter with jump leads and a screw driver and it fired up perfect. But refitted to the van it won't even click.

I've replaced the ignition switch and can hear the pumps whirring.
The other noise is like a hissing noise seems to be coming from the alternator. Surely a dodgy alternator wouldn't prevent the car from cranking?

regards
webby

....Battery or loose terminals......

Sorry....just read your post again, did you take the 'jump' from the battery in the car? If so then not the battery but i would check the terminals/wires etc from the battery to starter....also check the big fuse for the alternator...

myths63 said:

Sorry....just read your post again, did you take the 'jump' from the battery in the car?

Click to expand...

yes took the battery off to give it a charge whilst waiting for the starter kit to arrive, after it was fully charged I connected it to the starter in my shed and it worked a treat.

I've retraced my steps in fitting it a dozen times but no joy!

if 12.3v after charging it fooked

uncle albert said:

if 12.3v after charging it fooked

Click to expand...

what should it be? and why would it power the starter in the shed but not when it's bolted in the car?

Could be the thin wire on the back of the starter, make sure it's securely connected in place or it will cause the probs you describe...give it jiggle and try again.

phuckster said:

what should it be? and why would it power the starter in the shed but not when it's bolted in the car?

Click to expand...

fully charged should be iro 14.5 volts so pos a cell gone on yours, will power on bench test cos no load (just spinning free)

did refurb kit inc. solenoid bits? if so does starter click in and just not turn?

Try putting a jump lead directly from the battery negative to a good clean point on the engine block.
If it turns over OK, its a bad earth...

uncle albert said:

fully charged should be iro 14.5 volts so pos a cell gone on yours, will power on bench test cos no load (just spinning free)

Click to expand...

No sorry, a fully charged lead acid battery, at rest, will indicate 12.8volts.

However, a good charger/alternator will increase the voltage across the better under charge to between (about) 13.8v to 14.3v. This raised voltage (above 12.8v) is how the battery gets its charge.

I do agree however, that a starter, on the bench (with no engine load) will spin on a lower battery, whereas is wont under load in the car.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/battery_state_of_charge

ditto what ^^^^^^^ he said