Uphillphil · May 28, 2011

Howdy
Do I need to take of my radiator, and fan in order to take off my alternator???
Any tips on alternator removal would be very welcome.
Many Thanks

storm99 · May 28, 2011

No, not unless you have a very strange set-up.

Beneagles · May 28, 2011

Wouldn't have thought so. Which engine?
Removing the cowl improves access - and possibly the intercooler pipes (if any). Maybe even remove the air filter assembly.
Remove plug or wiring at rear of alternator. Remove nut/bolt attaching alternator to the adjuster bracket. Loosen other two bolts and allow alternator to pivot just enough to clear the belt. Remove the two bolts fully, and lift alternator clear.

Uphillphil · May 28, 2011

Beneagles said:
Wouldn't have thought so. Which engine?
Removing the cowl improves access - and possibly the intercooler pipes (if any). Maybe even remove the air filter assembly.
Remove plug or wiring at rear of alternator. Remove nut/bolt attaching alternator to the adjuster bracket. Loosen other two bolts and allow alternator to pivot just enough to clear the belt. Remove the two bolts fully, and lift alternator clear.

Great advice; Thank you.
Can a dodgy earth somewhere, effect the way that the alternator charges???
Using the multimeter, it isn't showing any increase in voltage when the engine is running, hence me thinking the alternator is knackered. It is weird though, that I put on a new one last year.

Uphillphil · May 28, 2011

Beneagles said:
Wouldn't have thought so. Which engine?
Removing the cowl improves access - and possibly the intercooler pipes (if any). Maybe even remove the air filter assembly.
Remove plug or wiring at rear of alternator. Remove nut/bolt attaching alternator to the adjuster bracket. Loosen other two bolts and allow alternator to pivot just enough to clear the belt. Remove the two bolts fully, and lift alternator clear.

p.s. It is a TD5

Shifty1962 · May 28, 2011

Your alternator is earthed through the alternator body and mounting bracket where it bolts to the engine. I'd check the small exciter wire as unlike a dynamo an alternator needs a voltage to excite the windings in order to start charging. It also uses this small wire as a reference voltage to tell it when the battery is charged and reduce or stop charging.

Take the wire off and check you have full battery voltage present when the ignition is on. If not there is your problem. If it shows full battery voltage then its likely to be the built in rectifier thats the culprit.

A dynamo will try to charge a completely flat battery but an alternator will not.

Uphillphil · May 28, 2011

Shifty1962 said:
Your alternator is earthed through the alternator body and mounting bracket where it bolts to the engine. I'd check the small exciter wire as unlike a dynamo an alternator needs a voltage to excite the windings in order to start charging. It also uses this small wire as a reference voltage to tell it when the battery is charged and reduce or stop charging.

Take the wire off and check you have full battery voltage present when the ignition is on. If not there is your problem. If it shows full battery voltage then its likely to be the built in rectifier thats the culprit.

A dynamo will try to charge a completely flat battery but an alternator will not.

That's great info Shifty. Thank you. I had the starter motor off about 10 days ago (replaced bendix and contacts). Could this have any negative effect on the alternator/battery/ charging system???
Many Thanks

Station House · May 28, 2011

Only if you knocked one of the wires off the back of the alternator in the process

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