LandyManLuke Posted August 11, 2008 Share Posted August 11, 2008 Possibly the most stupid question asked on this forum, but is the output in AC or DC? I thought AC (isn't that what an alternator does?) but if it is, the readings I am taking are twice what they should be and bang on for DC so I want to be sure. The AC generated by the alternator is in fact 3 phase AC. it only comes out of the alternator as DC though, as it's rectified inside the alternator. You should have no (negliable) AC current across the alternator ouput and ground. A multimeter may possibly pick up a few ripples and give you a very small reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newclear Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Hi, I have a similar issue I am trying to diagnose and was trying to find a supplier for these Regulator/Diode/Bush packs? Can't hurt to try and replace them if it's a quick task (as mentioned)... Cheers Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Hi Matt, Only the regulator and brushes are in the removable 'pack' on the back. The rectifying diodes are internal. LSUK in Attercliffe (near the LR stealership) is where i last got one. The durite part number is on my post in the tech archive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaroslav Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I have a somewhat strange behavior of battery indicator (110, 1987, diesel). When I turn the ignition on, the battery indicator starts glowing and stays like that even after the ending start running. It keeps glowing until I rev the engine up. After that the indicator stays off even if the engine goes idling. Is it a problem? I also noticed some white stuff on the battery contacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 check/adjust the alternator belt tension & use boiling hot water puored straight from the kettle to disperse the 'white crust' from the battery terminals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Is it a problem? The alternator exciting circuit (the Warning light circuit) is not energising the alternator properly, instead, the stray magnetic currents in the alternator are excting itself. Check the wattage of the battery warning light in the dash, and check that the WL connection is good on the back of the alternator. It's not a problem as such, apart from what you've outlined - i.e. having to increase the engine speed to properly excite the alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 also check/adjust the idle revs to 750/800rpm if they are to low it can cause the charge warning light to come on, I've had it on my 200Tdi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaroslav Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 also check/adjust the idle revs to 750/800rpm if they are to low it can cause the charge warning light to come on, I've had it on my 200Tdi. It's not the idle revs because the battery light persists until I rev it up quite significantly, probably to 2000-2500 RPM (can't say exactly). Thanks for all the replies - huge help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaroslav Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I did some reading on the topic: http://www.alternatorparts.com/understanding_alternators.htm http://www.alternatorparts.com/FAQ.htm#one%20wire Maybe what I have is a self exciting one-wire alternator? On the other hand, the battery light seems to be working, so it must be wired to work using the two wire setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaroslav Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 I think I know why my battery light keeps glowing until I rev the engine up. It's because the alternator fails to get excited, and why is that happening? It's probably because the ignition light resistor, which is connected in parallel to the battery indicator, is dead. With no resistor, the current flowing through the bulb alone is probably not enough to excite the alternator. What's left is easy: to replace the resistor! Does anybody have any idea where can I find it on the truck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 most likely it's buried inside the main loom from the fusebox to the engine bay/instrument pack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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