Alternator not charging | FerrariChat

Alternator not charging

Discussion in '206/246' started by VicJano, Feb 25, 2017.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. VicJano

    VicJano Karting

    Dec 17, 2011
    233
    Kingston upon Thames
    Full Name:
    Chris O'Connor
    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
     
  2. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2002
    6,370
    Toronto / SoCal
    Full Name:
    Rob C.
    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.
     
  3. VicJano

    VicJano Karting

    Dec 17, 2011
    233
    Kingston upon Thames
    Full Name:
    Chris O'Connor
    Nuvolari,
    Much appreciated, thanks
    Chris
     
  4. pshoejberg

    pshoejberg Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 22, 2007
    1,694
    Denmark
    Full Name:
    Peter H
    I have just checked a friend’s 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. Prehab’s 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
     
  5. TonyL

    TonyL F1 Rookie

    Sep 27, 2007
    3,811
    Norfolk - UK
    Full Name:
    Tony
    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?
     
  6. VicJano

    VicJano Karting

    Dec 17, 2011
    233
    Kingston upon Thames
    Full Name:
    Chris O'Connor
    Thanks Peter,
    I'll check that out.

    Chris
     
  7. VicJano

    VicJano Karting

    Dec 17, 2011
    233
    Kingston upon Thames
    Full Name:
    Chris O'Connor
    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


     
  8. VicJano

    VicJano Karting

    Dec 17, 2011
    233
    Kingston upon Thames
    Full Name:
    Chris O'Connor
    Nuvolarai,

    When you write Junction Box on firewall, is that the black plastic box that houses the 60amp fuse?

    Thanks


    chris

     
  9. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2002
    6,370
    Toronto / SoCal
    Full Name:
    Rob C.
    Yes
     
  10. npwmd2

    npwmd2 Karting

    Mar 31, 2015
    226
    Hudson Valley
    Full Name:
    Neal
    For sure check that fuse 1st.
     
  11. VicJano

    VicJano Karting

    Dec 17, 2011
    233
    Kingston upon Thames
    Full Name:
    Chris O'Connor
    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
     
  12. npwmd2

    npwmd2 Karting

    Mar 31, 2015
    226
    Hudson Valley
    Full Name:
    Neal
    Been there.
     
  13. 1974308gt4

    1974308gt4 Rookie

    May 1, 2016
    43
    Full Name:
    Thomas
    #13 1974308gt4, Feb 26, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    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
     
  14. VicJano

    VicJano Karting

    Dec 17, 2011
    233
    Kingston upon Thames
    Full Name:
    Chris O'Connor
    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
     
  15. 1974308gt4

    1974308gt4 Rookie

    May 1, 2016
    43
    Full Name:
    Thomas
    Heureka - it´s charging! that was an easy fix!
     
  16. 1974308gt4

    1974308gt4 Rookie

    May 1, 2016
    43
    Full Name:
    Thomas
    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...
     
  17. VicJano

    VicJano Karting

    Dec 17, 2011
    233
    Kingston upon Thames
    Full Name:
    Chris O'Connor
    Good news. Nice when its easy, esp. with electrics
     

Share This Page