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328 Altrernator warning light

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Iain, Jun 1, 2008.

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  1. Iain

    Iain F1 Rookie

    Jan 21, 2005
    3,345
    UK
    #1 Iain, Jun 1, 2008
    I washed my car today & about an hour afterwards took it for a 20 mile run. About 3 miles before I got home I noticed that the alternator warning light was flickering. Not sure how long it had been doing it for - but I havn't seen it before.

    Further investigation shows that it starts flickering at about 2750 rpm & gets worse as the revs rise. I'm pretty sure its not a slipping belt because its doing it with the engine not under load (i.e. sitting stationary in my driveway in neutral) & there is no noise that would suggest a belt was slipping.

    Next test was to try holding it at 2500 ish (i.e. just under where it starts flickering) & turn the lights on expecting that more demand would cause the light to come on at lower revs, but it made no difference i.e. it doesn't seem to be load related either. At 2500 rpm the light is out, at 2750 it starts flickering regardless of electrical load on the system so it seems to be entirely engine speed related

    Anyone have any bright ideas as to what might be causing it?

    I.
     
  2. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 11, 2003
    2,385
    Frederick, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Brian Brown
    #2 Motob, Jun 2, 2008
    Alternator probably has worn brushes, or could be a loose connection that changes with the frequency of the vibration.
     
  3. Harry

    Harry Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    101
    Germany
    #3 Harry, Jun 2, 2008
    Worn brushes, which loose contact to the rotor at higher revs due to vibration. Quickly change them but do not forget to inspect the rotor for wear.

    Regards
    Harry
     
  4. Iain

    Iain F1 Rookie

    Jan 21, 2005
    3,345
    UK
    #4 Iain, Jun 2, 2008
    See?? Nothing lasts! Lousy bit of German tat!! :D

    Many thanks for that

    rgds

    Iain
     
  5. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
    2,800
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    F683
    #5 eulk328, Jun 2, 2008

    Choice words coming from someone that lives in the land that brought us Lucas.
     
  6. Harry

    Harry Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    101
    Germany
    #6 Harry, Jun 2, 2008
    For the GT4 I got an identical replacement from Bosch, in fact it was a FIAT part. Cost something like 200 EUR. Better to have everything done properly and lasting, the hassle to get to the part is enourmous.

    Regards
    Harry
     
  7. Steve King

    Steve King F1 Rookie

    Feb 15, 2001
    4,367
    NY
    #7 Steve King, Jun 2, 2008
    What is the voltage output. Put a meter on it and see what you get. If it is 12V or less then I would look to the regulator or maybe a diode. It should read around 13.6 volts.
     
  8. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,277
    Black Forest Germany
    Full Name:
    Martin N.
    #8 Martin308GTB, Jun 3, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2008
    same with my 308 GTB. I purchased a new Bosch alternator back in 2002. It seems, that I got the same part like yours, because it cost EUR 190,--.
    But with the 328 alternator it's a completely different story. I inquired at Bosch for a friend with a 328 GTB and they gave us a quote of ~ EUR 980,--.

    Regarding the initial posting; symptoms were similar on my alternator back then. The reason was the regulator. The brushes were sticking because of the huge amount of oil - due to a previous oil leak - and grit inside it. Based on the location of the alternator on the 3x8 cars they collect a lot of road grime and I suspect, that beause of the additional cooling device found on the 328 cars, things are even worse.

    Best Regards

    Martin
     
  9. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
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    Martin N.
    #9 Martin308GTB, Jun 3, 2008
    +10 :)

    Best Regards from Germany

    Martin
     
  10. RGigante

    RGigante F1 Rookie
    Owner Project Master

    Nov 1, 2006
    2,874
    Portugal
    #10 RGigante, Jun 3, 2008
    Lucas, the Prince of Darkness :)

    Regarding the alternator, remember to always have your battery in good shape. A discharged battery means a lot of stress on the alternator
     
  11. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,277
    Black Forest Germany
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    Martin N.
    #11 Martin308GTB, Jun 3, 2008
    we also call Lucas the 'inventor of electrical darkness'.

    Regarding a discharged battery; o.k. you're basically correct. But an alternator in only average decent condition should suffer no damage from a weak battery. If this is the case, the end of the alternator's days wouldn't be far away anyway.
    I have seen many Bosch alternators and most of them had around 200.000 kms on it till any bearings or the regulator begin to fail. The last example was a VW alternator which worked for almost 300.000 kms without any problems till the rotor was worn beyond repair.
    Only on the 3x8 Ferraris they seem to last less. And I suspect the inhospitable location being the reason for this decreased lifetime.

    Best Regards from Germany

    Martin
     
  12. Iain

    Iain F1 Rookie

    Jan 21, 2005
    3,345
    UK
    #12 Iain, Jun 3, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2008
    :D :D

    Thanks for all the comments. I suspect the alterator is faulty but I need to get a meter on the car to see what's going on. The battery is at least 8 or 9 years old but its always lived on a conditioner & so kept fully charged & it cranks the car over like a trooper so I think its OK.

    I've seen several threads about fun & games removing the 328 alternator (removing the crank pulley etc) but also been told by a Ferrari trained tech that the alternator will come out the bottom on a 328 in one piece without disturbing the cooling system, AC or the crank pulley! I need to get under there & have a look I think.

    Next step is to find out where I can get a rebuild kit for the thing. That's beginning to look like it might be some fun & games in itself (NOT!)!
     
  13. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
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    #13 eulk328, Jun 4, 2008
    "And I suspect the inhospitable location being the reason for this decreased lifetime."

    Very likely. Dripping oil from above and plenty of heat from the headers are not going to make things better.
     
  14. RGigante

    RGigante F1 Rookie
    Owner Project Master

    Nov 1, 2006
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    #14 RGigante, Jun 4, 2008
    You are right Martin. What I mean is the continuous and repeated use of a discharged battery like one that doesn't have a conditioner and the car sits a lot of time. That means the alternator is always working hard ...
    On a regularly used car 200.000 Km don't put that kind of continuous stress on the alternator
     
  15. RGigante

    RGigante F1 Rookie
    Owner Project Master

    Nov 1, 2006
    2,874
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    #15 RGigante, Jun 4, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I've removed my alternator last year (328 also). Took me 4 hours to remove it and 2 hours to put it back in place. I saw no way it could come out the bottom. The tubular structure gets in the way! I had to get the cooling pipe out of the way a bit but I did have the A/C out, I was also replacing the belts and tensioners ....
    Check the alternator pulley, I had to replace mine. Not cheap, but I was able to have one made much cheaper :)

    If you need the regulator it's a Bosch part and I was able to source it locally at a Bosch dealer.
    Here's a picture of the finished alternator and while being put back in place
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  16. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,398
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    Bubba
    #16 BigTex, Jun 4, 2008
    Drop the coolant pipe and the engine mount bottom bolts and jack up the block, it falls right out, thru the RH wheel well.

    A guy with a big cigar can rebuild mine for $70 bucks in the time it takes to tell a few racing stories.....

    No worries....
     
  17. Iain

    Iain F1 Rookie

    Jan 21, 2005
    3,345
    UK
    #17 Iain, Jun 7, 2008
    Fixed :D

    Turned out out it was just a slack belt caused by loose bolts on the adjuster /slider bar thing.

    Now delivering a steady 13.8V
     

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