Advice please. Alternator isn't charging. Its a Superformance one with built in regulator. Before I attempt tthe tricky task of checking all the connections, has anyone any suggestions where the main connection weak spots are please? Thanks in advance Chris
There are very few places to check: - The battery - The Ammeter - The Junction box - The Alternator Checking for a charge with the engine running at these 4 spots will quickly tell you where the failure is. If it were me I'd start at the junction box on the firewall. If you have no charge registering there then there is little point looking further forward in the system and you can set yourself up for the task of removing the alternator.
I have just checked a friends 246 generator with build in regulator. Unfortunately, the regulator was toast. The generator was less than 2 years old and from one of the major suppliers. I was quite surprised to see the regulator nonfunctioning so soon. Prehabs the location close to the exhaust manifold has a negative life span effect. The car in question has also been driven long and hard and in warm weather. Anyhow, my friend ended up with a separate regulator and everything is working fine until now. Best Peter
Chris, you don't say if it's new or has stopped working after some time? There are several articles on checking the alternator, a quick search will help. Stupid question I know but you have removed the old VR unit?
Hi Tony, Its an old one about 28k miles and 12 years old and stopped working very recently. Since I've had it (11 years), the dash ignition light has always been on - faint with high res, brighter with low revs. As it charged ok, I didn't do anything about it. Original VR box is disconnected. Chris
Nuvolarai, When you write Junction Box on firewall, is that the black plastic box that houses the 60amp fuse? Thanks chris
Panic over. The alternator 60amp fuse had worked itself loose. Thanks everyone for the help. Much appreciated; saved me alot of time and cash. Chris
I know I could use a screwdriver and check it, but could it be the big black "Fiat" box on the image? there is the green wire not connected, is it plausible that this has something to do with the alternator not charging .....? The car is stored in the house and will need a while until it is out for a test ride. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The black box looks like the alternator regulator so could be the reason why its not charging. Do you know if you've still got the original alternator in the car? If so then its even more relevant that the wire is loose. However if you've got a replacement alternator with an built-in regulator then, you'd expect the original regulator to be disconnected. Chris
Hi Chris, thanks for the answer. Yes, it should be the original Alternator (like virtually everything on the car). I have also tried with lights on and it is always charging from quite low revs on...