**Sigh** The alternator has packed in on my TD4. I had a quick look on the net and there are two types a 115amp and a 150amp. Apparently the 150amp is usually for those fitted with a heated front windscreen, which I don't have. Being a bit rushed I picked up a used 115amp alternator off fleabay.

It turned up, I removed the old one. The old one was in fact a 150amp. The new one physically fits but there is a small plug socket which doesn't. The 150amp alternator has a 2 pin socket and the 115amp has a 3 pin socket.

These aren't the main power cable, thats a seperate lead. Any idea what these small wires are for??? Will it run without it being plugged in (before I put it all back together)?? I'm guessing it's telling the ECU whether it's charging or not, so I may just have the battery light on???

I'll have to get another I guess but I need the car rather desperately this weekend, and another won't arrive in time

Any info is, as always, much appreciated.

Vstar

One of the wires is for the battery warning light - if this isn't connected, the alternator won't charge the battery - and won't power the lights in the dark.
the other wire - unsure, but I'm certain this will be the pickup for the rev. counter - via the ECM (or it used to be in days of old) on diesel engined cars.
ideally - you are better off fitting the right part, or at least getting the wires connected up to do their job.

Best to try what you have! Connect it up and then test it working with a meter! Make sure the lights and sterring are working! If you look in the connector on the loom side you will probably find they are only two wires in the plug!

Thanks for the advice,

I bit the bullet in the end and got a new 150amp one from a motor parts store as it would have been very fiddly to rewire it and I needed the car fairly urgently. £157 It's running again, for now....