steve200TDi Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Yesterday afternoon and today I've been needing to jump start my defender because the alternator isn't charging I don't think. I did notice in the past few days that the speed of the starter turning the engine over has decreased ever so slightly until yesterday when it didn't have enough to start it. - The belt is tight. - The two wires on the back that are fixed with a nut are both secure - are there any other connections? The ignition light doesn't come on when I start the engine and does not come on when the engine is running and I will investigate this later. I took it to Halford for them to check the alternator with a bit of fancy Bosch kit and it said 'ripple too small', any ideas? I've heard that you can replace the brushes and rectifier, is this a worth while option? Any help much appreciated (i.e. the best price for a new one), and yes I did have a look at the many other alternator threads before posting another!! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 have you checked the ignition bulb? If you've got an A127 type alternator you can pull the reg/brush pack to have a look, and/or replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted May 13, 2008 Author Share Posted May 13, 2008 Hi, In the tech section under 'A127 Alternator regulator replacement, By Luke' which i guess is you, there's a pic of said alternator and I think mine does look like that. In the first pic of the alternator there's a white cable going to it - does it normally come from that direction because i don't think I have that cable and I may need to have a search under the bonnet for it, I guess that one is for the ign light. At the monent I only have two wires connected to it and the haynes manual says three, so I think that may be my problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted May 13, 2008 Author Share Posted May 13, 2008 Just had a search on the internet and it looks as if I have a Magnetti Marelli alternator. Found a few pics here: http://www.fag.hiof.no/~frodehaa/alternator.htm The back of it looks excactly the same as this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 That's me The white wire is the rev counter, which is not mandatory. the brown/yellow trace wire is the warning light wire, which is required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted May 14, 2008 Author Share Posted May 14, 2008 Yes the brown and yellow wire is the one I'm missing, I'll have a good look tonight for that. Does that wire come from the same direction as the other two or is it feed a different way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted May 14, 2008 Share Posted May 14, 2008 comes from the main multiplug connectors by the brake servo, runs along side the cylinder head across the front then down to the alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted May 17, 2008 Author Share Posted May 17, 2008 Yes I did thorough check on wednesday night and all the wires that should be connected were and I could pick up voltage fron the alternator as well as grounding the ignition bulb to light up. So I went ahead an oredered an alternator from this place: http://www.alternatormart.co.uk/ I ordered in at 3:30 and it came at about 10am the next day, excellant service! I had a scout through the previous posts about alternators and someone (can't remember who) recommended them so I thought I would go ahead and order one. Got it fitted today and it works fine, battery voltage rises when you start the engine and falls again when you stop - excellant. The only problem I had was that I had to rotate the front casting around one bolt hole so that the tensioner arm would fit - I had fun getting the brushes back on, but luckily I heard of the 'paper clip' trick on the forum - thanks Luke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 18, 2008 Share Posted May 18, 2008 Yes the difference between a disco/200tdi/300tdi A127 alternator can be sorted by rotating the front of the alternator casing by 120 degrees. glad its sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gromit Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 So I went ahead an oredered an alternator from this place:Got it fitted today and it works fine, battery voltage rises when you start the engine and falls again when you stop - excellant. Now you've your new alternator in, you can recondition your old one for about 15 quid. reconditioning an A127 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 I was think the exact same thing, because I've seen the kits on ebay for, as you said £15, so with the the help of Lukes tech article I think I'll have a go. Looking at the old one, one of the brushes had got stuck inside the regulator and the bush that the brushes rotate on is a bit chewed/warn. So I think I have ago at reconditioning it for a spare! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Gromit's article is much more indepth than mine - I just had a look on ebay and couldn't find any kits listed at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve200TDi Posted May 19, 2008 Author Share Posted May 19, 2008 Oh, sorry about that Gromit, I thought it was luke's article. There's this kit and one other I think but I think it for the wrong type i.e. connectors/amps. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lucas-A127-Alternato...1QQcmdZViewItem Do you know of any other places that do kits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Yes I was looking for one with the post terminals, rather than the blades. There's a listing for just the correct type of rectifier here The regulators are also listed seperately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gromit Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Yes I was looking for one with the post terminals, rather than the blades. That kit has blades, which is what I used in mine. I think though, that that kit will work with with post terminals. You can see the post terminals in the picture. IIRC the blade housing is just blanked off with a piece of plastic. (Edit to add, the one in Luke's pic has an extra post, so I guess you'd have to change one of the cables to fit the blade) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gromit Posted May 19, 2008 Share Posted May 19, 2008 Looking at the old one, one of the brushes had got stuck inside the regulator and the bush that the brushes rotate on is a bit chewed/warn. That'll be the slip ring that is worn. If that's all that's dead, you might get away with out changing the rectifier and just change the slip ring and brush pack. I just did the lot for fun/learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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