Ammo · Sep 11, 2014

The alternator on my 1990 127 3.5 doesn't initially charge on idle - I need to momentarily rev the engine to make it start charging - after that it's OK. I assume there's no sensible repair.

If I put a new one on, what would be best? The current one is a Delco Remy DRA3286. Not sure whether that's the original. Thanks.

mrchurchill109 · Sep 11, 2014

TBH that is pretty'well standard with an alternator - they need to reach a certain speed before they will begin to charge.

Were it me I wouldn;t be changing it for that. My 109 does that,(with a Delco 60-amp alternator), my 110 with the stock alternator does that.

Being as it's a Delco i might suggest that is not the original alternator - IIRC that was originally Lucas.

Is this something new it's decided to do, or has it always done it?

Al R.

Ammo · Sep 11, 2014

mrchurchill109 said:
TBH that is pretty'well standard with an alternator - they need to reach a certain speed before they will begin to charge.

Were it me I wouldn;t be changing it for that. My 109 does that,(with a Delco 60-amp alternator), my 110 with the stock alternator does that.

Being as it's a Delco i might suggest that is not the original alternator - IIRC that was originally Lucas.

Is this something new it's decided to do, or has it always done it?

Al R.

Thanks. Sorry - I probably wasn't clear enough - it's not just raising the rpm, you have to 'blip' the engine to quite high revs to get it to cut in. I don't have a rev counter fitted so I'm not sure but I guess it's to about 4000 rpm. After it's started charging, the revs can drop to idle with no problem.

mrchurchill109 · Sep 11, 2014

Ammo said:
Thanks. Sorry - I probably wasn't clear enough - it's not just raising the rpm, you have to 'blip' the engine to quite high revs to get it to cut in. I don't have a rev counter fitted so I'm not sure but I guess it's to about 4000 rpm. After it's started charging, the revs can drop to idle with no problem.

OK, yah, that's a bit much.

Couple things you might want to check are the connections to the back of the alternator. Excessive resistance or a crappy connection to the bulb and sense leads might cause an issue.

Barring that I'd pull it off and run it over to the nearest auto electric place. might well be all it needs are brushes and/or a new regualtor module.

Being in the home of the Delco alternator I very much like them. You see Delcos used extensively both for retrofit of generator equipped cars and replacement of hellishly expensive oddballs.

ajr

SmileySteve · Sep 11, 2014

Mine needs a little blip and its new, but yep I know the prob, my old one started to need higher revs, which can be the regulator / rectifier and brushes.
Mine eventually failed and it was the regulator as suddenly started to throw out up to 18 volts!
You maybe able to get the parts and rebuild it.
Parts for my N/A one came to about £12, bought a new alternator too as it was only £45 so eventually will rebuild the old one as a spare.

SmileySteve · Sep 11, 2014

Silly question but also check belts not slipping! will be suprised how often that happens without it squeeling!

Ammo · Sep 12, 2014

I think I've fixed it! Following some advice on another forum

, I looked at the thin wire to the alternator, cleaned the spade contacts and gave the crimp connector an extra squeeze with the pliers. Now it charges at anything above a slow idle with no need to 'blip' it. I've started it a few times now and it's been fine each time. Many thanks to everyone for their help.

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