tonyw
New Member
Whilst I said my drive across to the CR was great, it was marred by one small issue.
I have had for a while a small problem with the alternator, in that on some mornings, the battery light would come on, only to blink out after 30 minutes or so (the rest of the day would be problem free).
As Sod's Law dictates, on starting up the motor on day one of the journey, the light came on. However, knowing that the light would go out shortly, I packed the family in the car, complete with various dvd player, cooler box, bottle warmer and satnav appliances ready to be plugged in, once the battery light went out. Only it didn't go out. I got to Clackets Lane Services 40 minutes later, stopped the car in the car park and then tried to start again. Click. Click.
I called my rescue service, who got there within the hour. The guy jumped started the engine and lo and behold, the light went out on restart!
So, we carried on with the journey, went through the tunnel, no problems, stopped off for the night at Aschaffenburg, got up the next morning and the light came on again. However, I tried a new trick and stopped and started the engine about 4 times, and on the 4th start the light went out . Did the same thing all through the trip, so no real problems. Once the light went out, I plugged in all my appliances, with no ill effects.
ANYWAY, I digress. I had posted this issue before on this site, and the likely fault I got in response was a loose connection on the back of the alternator (the rev counter also didn't work when the battery light was on and when the light came on during initial start up, it seemed as thought the battery had drained slightly during the night). However, I had tightened the spade connector and the female receptacle before I took off on the trip and whilst in the CR, I took the car to a local auto electrician who told me the likely fault was the voltage generator, which I took to translate as the brushes!
Is this the likely cause, considering the fact that the wire connection on the back of the alt seems OK? If so, I guess I have to get a replacement alternator!
My car takes the (Marelli?) AMR4248E, so if anyone out there knows a cheap route to purchase one, let me know. I was thinking Ebay, but don't want to buy a 'used' alternator that 'was working when removed', or one of those ones that detail an unknown manufacturer! Then again, I'm not paying £205 to LR.
BTW, I don't have the time or the facilities to replace the brushes myself.
I have had for a while a small problem with the alternator, in that on some mornings, the battery light would come on, only to blink out after 30 minutes or so (the rest of the day would be problem free).
As Sod's Law dictates, on starting up the motor on day one of the journey, the light came on. However, knowing that the light would go out shortly, I packed the family in the car, complete with various dvd player, cooler box, bottle warmer and satnav appliances ready to be plugged in, once the battery light went out. Only it didn't go out. I got to Clackets Lane Services 40 minutes later, stopped the car in the car park and then tried to start again. Click. Click.
I called my rescue service, who got there within the hour. The guy jumped started the engine and lo and behold, the light went out on restart!
So, we carried on with the journey, went through the tunnel, no problems, stopped off for the night at Aschaffenburg, got up the next morning and the light came on again
. However, I tried a new trick and stopped and started the engine about 4 times, and on the 4th start the light went out . Did the same thing all through the trip, so no real problems. Once the light went out, I plugged in all my appliances, with no ill effects.ANYWAY, I digress. I had posted this issue before on this site, and the likely fault I got in response was a loose connection on the back of the alternator (the rev counter also didn't work when the battery light was on and when the light came on during initial start up, it seemed as thought the battery had drained slightly during the night). However, I had tightened the spade connector and the female receptacle before I took off on the trip and whilst in the CR, I took the car to a local auto electrician who told me the likely fault was the voltage generator, which I took to translate as the brushes!
Is this the likely cause, considering the fact that the wire connection on the back of the alt seems OK? If so, I guess I have to get a replacement alternator!
My car takes the (Marelli?) AMR4248E, so if anyone out there knows a cheap route to purchase one, let me know. I was thinking Ebay, but don't want to buy a 'used' alternator that 'was working when removed', or one of those ones that detail an unknown manufacturer! Then again, I'm not paying £205 to LR.
BTW, I don't have the time or the facilities to replace the brushes myself.
