CaterBram Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Looks like the old X/flow alternator on my zetec has died, strange sizzling noise 60 miles ago but could not find anything. No warning lights on, just hiccuped & died Now waiting for AA, hopefully recovery to campsite,8 miles away, luckily nearlyback after 250 miles today, will try to get a replacement alternator tomorrow . Any advice for any likely places near glencoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6speedmanual Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Most car parts for that area emminate from Inverness. I'd suggest being on the case very early in the morning with a repair shop in Ft William or Glencoe who knows the motor factor contacts in Inverness. You've a chance of getting one on the first van run down the Great Glen in the morning. Good luck. The Highlanders will get you moving but at a particular pace. Time stops North of Perth :-) Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesG Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Jonboy should get you sorted? 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaterBram Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share Posted July 24, 2011 All sorted, actually a duff battery rather than the alternator thank god. nice local guy from adj stevenson got to us in 30 mins, even had an old spare battery we have fitted to where the toolbox normally lives. well pleased, only thing we have noticed is that the battery warning light us on when the ignition is off, but goes off when the ignition is turned on , symptom of something else i think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbird Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Does that not indicate a blown rectifier in the Alternator ? Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaterBram Posted July 24, 2011 Author Share Posted July 24, 2011 the output voltage from the alternater is right when the engine is running. is it just an issue with the indication or will it not charge. master switch off when not in use so it won't drain the battery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clousta Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 When you can, get the alternator checked for output on a specialists bench. Its sounds as if the rectifier pack (diodes) is breaking down. This could have been the fizz 60 miles ago and then the battery has kept you going for 60 miles. If you run with your headlights on that sounds about the right distance before you will breakdown (done that in a SAAB 9000 once). It might be prudent to get another alternator. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbird Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 the output voltage from the alternater is right when the engine is running. sorry if this is sucking eggs/cheeky when you say output voltage is correct is it around 14.2Vdc around 2K RPM Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaterBram Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 certanly is, going to set my shifti to battery voltage mode & monitor today whilst out. has anyone got any idea if there is a better choice of alternator to use on the zetec current set up under the carbs is a bit tight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbird Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 OK thinking about it I don't think you will see much difference in output if diode has popped, as diode only drops .3v, and Alternator may compensate for that, however as part of the output component will now be A/C then charging will be less efficient, one other symptom of blown diode is sometimes a slight high pitched whine Tim Edited by - tbird on 25 Jul 2011 10:49:49 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesG Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 As a replacement/upgrade, try and track down a Nippon Denso unit from a Diahatsu Charade. They're smaller, lighter, have internal fan, and virtually bullet-proof. Can be bought quite cheaply through various internet searches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Nippon Denso unit from a Diahatsu Charade virtually bullet-proof Make sure you do not gear it so it runs too fast. That does kill them. 15K RPM max. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesG Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 EFA, the unit I have is originally for a Kubota digger, and I've fitted a lhd R500 alloy pulley to it, which is roughly twice the diameter of the original poly-vee pulley. Given that my K engine will rev to basically double that of a Kubota, I'm hoping it'll work out. Time will tell lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaterBram Posted July 27, 2011 Author Share Posted July 27, 2011 Quick update, picked the new alternator up yesterday morning, all fitted & sorted by lunch time, so spent the day blatting accross the Cairngorms. A Short 250 mile run, seems to be working fine :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 Hey Chris, Hope you are having fun in the sun, some great weather for you over the past few days. Les, would have loaned Chris my alternator if I had know, but seems to be sorted now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now