think i need a new alternator

for last week or so have noticed battery light coming on intermittently

other day could smell a burning plastic /electrical burning smell and saw some fumes coming out of bonnet

i figure either a bit of plastic or some oil has fallen in the alernater or the alternators knackered as that seemed to be the location of the problem

its a 52 plate freelander td4 commercial

just wondering how specific a part an alternator is and how i should go about getting a new one

my dad said he fitted several when he was younger and it took an hour tops

although if access is awkward(which it looks) and in order to replace it id possibly have to dismantle some other things in the way

just wondering if its a diy job or if its one for the experts

TIA

please help asap as i probably need to decide how to procede tomorrow
was quoted 140 for the part in local garage + fitting on top if it is the problem

Alternator also has a diode pack for voltage regulation that sometimes fail too. Its usually held on by 3 bolts and is driven by the aux belt. If you are comfortable with spanners and adjusting drive belts its an easy enough job. Buy one from a reputable place though as second hand via ebay or scrap yards are not a guaranteed fix.

Why not check it's working first???

Get a volt meter, set it to 20V range, connect to the battery, get someone elce to start engine. Watch the volt meter, before the engine starts it should read somewhere from 12.1-12.7ish, on start up this could drop down past 10, a good battery will stay above 10V. Once the engine is running the voltmeter should read a steady voltage, somewhere around 13.5V, if it does, your alternator is good!

Voltmeter should read circa 14.5-14.7 @ 2000rpm.
Check on load as well ( lights or heated rear screen on).

Or better still take it to Halfrauds or similar who can test both the battery and alternator for free. Make sure yu ask for a printout of test.

How do you know when it's the battery or the alternator?

I'm having starting problems - using a battery pack, I get started, but don't want to shell out for a new battery if it's the alternator.

If the battery is reading below 12v without the engine running - can I assume it's the battery and not the alternator?

The battery warning light isn't coming on when the engine is running.

Thanks

East Lothian Freelander said:

How do you know when it's the battery or the alternator?

I'm having starting problems - using a battery pack, I get started, but don't want to shell out for a new battery if it's the alternator.

If the battery is reading below 12v without the engine running - can I assume it's the battery and not the alternator?

The battery warning light isn't coming on when the engine is running.

Thanks

Click to expand...

If the alternator isn't charging the battery will read less than 12v with or without the engine running. Try charging the battery using a charger first, if it loses the charge or fails to start the engine then it is most likely to be a dead or faulty battery cell. Average battery life is app 5 years so if the alternator light goes out when you start the engine (and remains out until the engine stops) then again it is most likely a faulty battery.

I had problems with my alternator last year after oil leaked over it. I got one from a breakers for less the £50 and fitted it myself. On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate myself a low 2 as a mechanic so it can't be that hard to do.

You need a closed end nr 24 spanner to get the belt off and on.

Access wise I needed to replace my radiator at the same time so I took that off at the same time which makes things alot easier.

Rave has good instructions on how to replace it and I found a good document "Replacing_belt.pdf" somewhere that was helpful with getting the belt back on.

Good Luck

East Lothian Freelander said:

How do you know when it's the battery or the alternator?

I'm having starting problems - using a battery pack, I get started, but don't want to shell out for a new battery if it's the alternator.

If the battery is reading below 12v without the engine running - can I assume it's the battery and not the alternator?

The battery warning light isn't coming on when the engine is running.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Testing the battery with a volt meter and the engine off won't tell you a thing! Volt meters have massive resistance, therefore appear an open circuit, open circuits don't draw a current, so don't induce a volt drop.

If your not confident with a volt meter, like has been said, take it to halfords and get them to do it.

alternator set on fire so definitely knackered now, took fan belt with it

thx for the replies
will definitely do the testing with my voltmeter if the new one ever plays up

is 140 for a new one about right?

only place iv really searched is fleebay and god only knows what would turn up if buying off there

with it being a bank holiday and me wanting the car to take dogs down the beach, i think il have to bite the bullet, no other way of getting one of the net and fitting it by friday

You could always check your local breakers yard, but make sure it's the right alternator, I believe there are 2. Not certain tho, sure I read on here that there is one for heated seats and the like, and for standard interior, may well be chatting **** there but something says I'm not.

I know its not much use to you now but I used Breakeryard.com to source bits which worked well. Ended up buying from Gwent 4X4 breakers and got delivery next day.

aint they the peeps what rip peeps off?