How to Test Alternator - FD3

[leeroy_25]

Okay guy\'s any more help with the above about testing the alternator?
I connected up the battery which showed 12.25volts on it\'s own. When I started the car at idle all my warning lights stayed on! Doh! I checked voltage at the battery and this was down to 11.6v. I do have an oversize pulley kit fitted FYI.. but from what I understand the voltage should have gone up?
I turned on the lights and fan and it drop to just under 11.3v.
Reading the manual I cannot take voltage from any points with the car running as I cannot earth B or S? so I couldn\'t test directly to see if I was getting output from the alternator. But I did turn off and check for continuity between S and B to the battery whch seems fine. The only bit I could check was the alternator warning light wire L as I am not sure how to do that?

Please let me know thguhts on voltage. I will get someone to come and rev it tomorrow to see if that gives a voltage increase if that helps solve anything? No one around to hep me tonight!
Also I disconnected the battery again and measured the voltage at just over 12v after it had been running?

Cheers
Lee

[ashc]

sounds like alternator or wires to it to me?

[FEED Addict]

As above dude, battery sounds o.k but that test is showing that for whatever reason the alternator is not putting any charge to it. Check connections at the alternator and battery are o.k, then possibly bite the bullit and order up an alternator!

[DR SCHNITZEL]

I used you tube to find out how to use my multi meter, and check the alternator/ battery short circuits etc. theres some mad videos on there of some crazy mechanics. All there in video for you to search. learnt alot last night.

[FEED Addict]

I used you tube to find out how to use my multi meter, and check the alternator/ battery short circuits etc. theres some mad videos on there of some crazy mechanics. All there in video for you to search. learnt alot last night.

And theres me and the misses wasting our time all those years ago doing an apprenticeship!:Giggle
I wish i knew about You-Tube 18 years ago (god that makes me sound so old):Grrr

[leeroy_25]

Okay guy\'s,

I am guess the fact that I have continuity from the alternator to the battery positive terminal on S and B means the wiring is okay? The only wiring I couldn\'t check is the \'L\' terminal to the warning light but I guess that has no impact on if the alternator is charging or not.. So drawing the same conclusoin that the alternator is dudd.. As it seemed to be okay to start with a charged battery I want to know that there is nothing that could be damaged in my wiring causing the alternator to blow? i.e Does the warning light only come on if the alternator is putting no voltage out or if there is sufficient charge in a full battery would that keep the light off for a while?

I don\'t want to put a third alternator on a blow that was well!

Thank you
Lee

[leeroy_25]

Please can someone confirm if I can start the car with the plug off the alternator or remove the plug once the car is started without damaging anything? The manual implies not but in gather I need to to check if the fault is in the alternator or wiring.. i.e if the light goes out when the plug is off then it\'s the alternator for sure.

Thank you
Lee

[DR SCHNITZEL]

And theres me and the misses wasting our time all those years ago doing an apprenticeship!:Giggle
I wish i knew about You-Tube 18 years ago (god that makes me sound so old):Grrr

 
I should be a fully trained auto electrician by this time next week

[FEED Addict]

I should be a fully trained auto electrician by this time next week

 
Hahahaha!!:Thumbs-up

[ianelvar]

I\'m pretty sure you\'ve got a faulty alternator. Running one without the battery as ballast (yanking the terminal when you couldn\'t get her to stop) tends to kill them. I do have a couple of spares which you\'re welcome to try to confirm though.

[leeroy_25]

Thanks Ian,
I am sending mine in for a repair quote tomorrow.. Pending that I might be interested in buying one off you if you want to sell one?

Cheers
Lee

[ianelvar]

No problem. Just let me know.

[leeroy_25]

Ian, Can you let me know cost for one good delivered alternator to me please!? Also is it something you can ship straight out so I can get it prior to the weekend?

Cheers
Lee

[ianelvar]

£30 if you want to come and pick it up? Havant isn\'t far from Basingstoke if you\'ve got another car to make the trip up one evening? Otherwise, £15.50 express48, or £20.50 for express24.

[leeroy_25]

Thanks Ian, I already have one on the way now. If I get stuck though i\'ll come back to you.

Cheers
Lee