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1990 G Reg 200tdi.
Been having problems starting, just had battery checked at garage and there is no charge gettint to it at all.Will jump start or bump straight away.
Garage says could be alternetor, did not have time to test it.
Anyone any ideas of what it could be ???
Is there anyay I can test alt myself??
Thanks
 
When the engine is running you should see the battery being charged. If you measure the battery voltage it will be just over 14volts when the engine is running. This would indicate charging. If it's several volts lower than this then it's not charging.
 
Hippo said:
When the engine is running you should see the battery being charged. If you measure the battery voltage it will be just over 14volts when the engine is running. This would indicate charging. If it's several volts lower than this then it's not charging.
Click to expand...
When tested with engine running it was not getting any charge at all.
 
Run a voltage tester off the back of the alternator whilst the engine is running, also any local halfords will test the condition of your battery
 
border said:
1990 G Reg 200tdi.
Been having problems starting, just had battery checked at garage and there is no charge gettint to it at all.Will jump start or bump straight away.
Garage says could be alternetor, did not have time to test it.
Anyone any ideas of what it could be ???
Is there anyay I can test alt myself??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Find a decent garage. How can they test a battery but not have time to test if its charging? Takes seconds to confirm the alternator is putting out voltage. Volt meter across the batt terminals should read over 14 volts when charging. Does the ignition lamp light when you turn the ignition on? If not the bulb has blown and the alternator exciter voltage flows through the bulb = blown bulb no charging. If it does light does the ignition lamp go out when the engine is started? Are the alternator cables connected tight?
 
Marmaduke said:
Run a voltage tester off the back of the alternator whilst the engine is running, also any local halfords will test the condition of your battery
Click to expand...
Tried this with voltemetor battery is flat and no change when engine is running.
 
Shifty1962 said:
Find a decent garage. How can they test a battery but not have time to test if its charging? Takes seconds to confirm the alternator is putting out voltage. Volt meter across the batt terminals should read over 14 volts when charging. Does the ignition lamp light when you turn the ignition on? If not the bulb has blown and the alternator exciter voltage flows through the bulb = blown bulb no charging. If it does light does the ignition lamp go out when the engine is started? Are the alternator cables connected tight?
Click to expand...
They said I had to go back during the week.
Volt reads onl;y 12 volts but when engine running there is no change he says that there is nothing at all putting charge back into the battery from the engine.
The lights come on the dash with ignition on, but the battery light does not stay on.
 
Sounds like you have a duff alternator. I've got a standard Defender one going spare for a few bob, but you may be too far away from me (Zummerzet).
 
Could it be a loose wire or somthing, cant get to it to see anthing.
Is there an easy way to check or will I have to dismantle other things to get to it??
 
Snowing now here winds getting up again, To cold to faff about out in the street, Got the battery in to charge it so I can get to the garage tomorrow.
Before I took it off tried the multimeter, battery was showing 11.60 ish with engine running, every time I turned lights on it went Down to 10.80 ish every time??
Got my head done in now, need a reliable motor for eveyday use taking water, feed ect for horses and dogs, starting to think about somthing else now.:(
 
As it's a diesel, depending on the type of driving you are doing, you might be able to get away with charging the battery every day/night when you are home until you can get the alternator sorted. It's important not to leave the battery flat as it damages their ability to recharge.

My 200 TDI is non-standard but my alternator is easy to access, not sure how easy it is on a standard one.

Basics first though, is the alternator turning when the engine is running? You can normally hear if the belt is slipping or the bearings are gone but worth a look in any case.
 
sp00k said:
As it's a diesel, depending on the type of driving you are doing, you might be able to get away with charging the battery every day/night when you are home until you can get the alternator sorted. It's important not to leave the battery flat as it damages their ability to recharge.

My 200 TDI is non-standard but my alternator is easy to access, not sure how easy it is on a standard one.

Basics first though, is the alternator turning when the engine is running? You can normally hear if the belt is slipping or the bearings are gone but worth a look in any case.
Click to expand...
It seems to be turning OK, cant here any noises with bearings ect, looked at Busters guide and should be able to get to it by moving a few hoses ect, but just have not got the time with the weather and dark nights.
Will call into a few garages tomorrow and get the cheapest qoute.
 
Unfortunately I’m all too familiar with working outdoors in mine as I don’t have anywhere either. It’s not ideal. Perhaps you could get a gazebo or similar to stick over the front of it? I always make sure I’m well wrapped up with plenty of layers, including thermals!
Thermals | Toolstation
The alternator is grounded through it’s body to the engine. There should be two wires into the back of the alternator.


One small gauge wire is the exciter wire. This is probably connected with a small spade or ring terminal. This should have around 12 volts on it whenever the ignition is on or the engine is running. It’s supplied by the battery via the ignition. If that’s not powered, the alternator will not charge.


There will be a larger gauge wire or multiple wires running to a large bolt terminal. Normally these wires are on a large ring terminal. These are the wires which take the current from the alternator to the battery and the rest of the Landys electrical systems. This should be over 12 volts (around 14) with the engine running.


As noted above, if the exciter wire is not powered, this will be around 12 volts (same as the battery voltage).


Also, we need to know, does the battery light come on when you turn the ignition on and go off when the engine is running or does it not come on at all, or stay on all the time?
 
Thanks Mate
Battery light comes on with ignition turned, then once started and engine running it goes off.
 
Last edited:
Think ive sorted this one, Faffed about with wires that go to the alt, there is a plug with 3 wires but noticed the plug is very slack and just wobbles about,
On Multimeter battery is only at about 12 to 12 .4 with engine running when I hold the plug to the alt in tight so it cant move it goes right up to 14 .2, Is there a way I can make the conections tighter or should I get a new plug, thats if they sell them separate??
 
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