308 Electrical Help Requested

Sounds to me like your alternator has taken a powder. Use your multimeter across the positive and negative battery terminals. With the engine idling you see between 13.2-14.8 volts. At 2000rpm, 14.2-14.8 is normal. Anything over 15 volts will cook the electrolite in your battery. Less than 13 volts and your charging system can't keep up with accessories such as headlights, a/c, etc.

Your alternator light should not light up at idle. Even a slow idle (600rpm) should be enough to field the alternator and it should produce enough voltage to keep the light off, depending on the condition of your regulator.

good luck

 

Robert,

I agree with steven, the alt isn't alting. Your attempt at bump starting the car did not spin the alternator fast enough to generate enough juice to fire the ignition - so no start.
The jump start put a bit of juice into the batery and provided enough to crank the engine - vroom.
On the trip home, you used up what little juice you had in the battery and the accessories started flaking out.
Mu guess is that a rebuilt unit and a new belt will do the trick, along with a battery charge. (I have always been a bit underwhelmed by the thin wterpump/alt belt, so will replace it frequently).

luck,
chris

 

Hi Rob,

When my voltage regulator went bad about a year ago, I had my Alfa mechanic repair it. (Alfa Performance Connection, in Orange, CA). The alternator is the same as some model fiats or alfas, if I recall correctly. Since we needed to get the regulator replaced, I decided to go ahead and get the alternator rebuilt as well. My mechanic sent it out for the rebuild. The total cost was a little under $200 for the rebuild, and about $400-500 for the labor. Not cheap, but I understand that there is alot of labor involved in removal of the alternator. I think he did a few other things as well, but I'd have to look at my invoice.

If you want, I can get you my mechanics number. I know it is a ways out from where you are, but if you don't have any other options...

P.S.- How was your birthday? I was out of town, otherwise I would have loved to come up and visit your shrine.

Dom

 

OUCH! 400-500 for the labor? Oh my may. I need to quit my day job to become a F-car mechanic.

I use A&A auto electric in San Diego, $85 parts and labor. Voltage regulator is a standard Bosch part #, nothing strange or exotic about it. Just look in your yellow pages for an electric shop that rebuilds starters and alternators. There are probably many in L.A. I would rebuild it and not waste money on a new one. That is unnecessary.

 

As far as I can remember (been awhile since I had a GT4 in the shop) The alternator bolt will not go in from the other side because of the gas tank. The bolt is just too long. I find the easiest way is to remove the heat sheilds that are near the front manifold. Once these guys are out of the way you can get an open end 19mm wrench in there fairly easily.

The alternator should be able to be rebuilt for about $100 depending on whats wrong. These alternators were used in all kinds of cars. It's a generic part.

 

Robert

Don't take any crap whatsoever from some guy that rebuilds alternators. This is a job a well trained monkey can perform. Alternators are not an exotic piece of equipment. They all work the same. A Ferrari alternator is no more special than a Ford Escort alternator. Screw that little Cretin and find someone that wants your business.

As far as Dexcool goes, I find it dreadful. It is overpriced and underperforming. If you change it every year, you won't have any problems. It is using it as it is recommended that causes problems. It WILL NOT last 100,000 miles as advertised. The way I see it, why spend the extra money if you have to change it just as often as regular ethylene-glycol?

As for changing over, I would just keep using the Dexcool since you already have it your system. There are some jelling problems when mixing ethylene-glycol with Dexcool. It usually only occurs when Dexcool is the predominate coolant in the system and ethylene-glycol is added unknowingly. Just to be sure...stick with the Dexcool, it won't hurt anything but your pocketbook.

 

I have been using Select Electrics in Berkeley for twenty years and she is very good but has gone to part time and is not taking any new customers. SDUKE is right, the alt. in your 308 especially is not out of the ordinary and any good rebuilder can handle it. Ask around the local quality repair shops and see who they use.

 

Robert, on my GTB the bolt goes in fine from the other side and I found it cheaper to get a brand new replacement alternator (Magneti Marelli) from a local car parts supplier (about $150.)

The alternator seems to be fairly standard...

good luck

 

I the alternator rebuilt on my 308 by an automotive electrical shop when I bought it 4-years ago. They upgraded the unit to 85 amps and replaced the bearings for about $100. It's been fine ever since the rebuild. There is nothing special about these Bosch alternators.