Alternator problem.

TonyG · December 02, 2008, 04:21:40 PM

Last few days has been very cold, starting my Espace today it started okish drove a few miles then it wouldnt start when i stopped. RAC came car started ok but was told the the battery is faulty. Took car and had the battery tested,2 places both say the alternator is at fault. The charging light on dash hasnt come on during all this time. I lost is it the battery or is it the Alternator.

renaultbiler · December 02, 2008, 05:46:24 PM

Easy - take a digital voltmeter on the battery (positive and negative), measure voltage when the engine is not running (probably around 12-12.5v depending on the battery status) - if the alternator is the problem, the voltage will remain at the previous reading or drop further when the engine is running. If the alternator is okay, the voltage will increase to approx 13.5v on these when the engine is running (should be above 13v anyhow, but not above 14.4v!!).

TonyG · December 03, 2008, 11:31:46 AM

Battery not charging.This morning battery totally dead,will not even turn over. Alternator is not charging,so I need a new one.

renaultbiler · December 03, 2008, 04:00:15 PM

...perhaps the alternator just needs a new regulator unit fitted

Anders Dinsen · December 03, 2008, 06:01:19 PM

Quote from: renaultbiler on December 03, 2008, 04:00:15 PM
...perhaps the alternator just needs a new regulator unit fitted

Probably, but most modern alternators are sealed units where the regulator can't be replaced, and it's probably better to replace the whole unit anyway.

TonyG · December 04, 2008, 08:04:20 PM

Well having been looking around for the last 2 days for a new alternator (shock and horror), the prices vary so much and which one fits my 1992 Espace. One to seven day delivery times. Quotes from £99 to £350. Then I stumbled across a guy local to me who only deals in Alternators and Starter motors,quoted me £70 for one,I had to sit down when he told me the price. My Espace has AC which all the people I asked for quotes said I needed the biggest one (105AMP).A little trip to see the guy with my broken alternator,checks in his books,which he has many on alternators. He tells me it is only a 75AMP alternator I need.Exchange of notes I walk away with a nice new alternator.

GrahamT · December 17, 2008, 01:51:23 AM

You could probably have got the alternator repaired. I had one on a R21 Savanna repaired a few years ago, new regulator and it only cost a few pounds, can't remember exactly now. A 1995 Transit alternator cost less than £20 for the seized bearings to be replaced.
Its always worth asking, a quick inspection and the mechanic can usually tell if it is repairable or not.
Sounds like you got a bargain anyway, look in to getting the old one repaired, then you'll have a spare!
All the best,
Graham

TonyG · December 19, 2008, 11:25:14 AM

All problems have gone now,starts first time even when its really cold. Sadly I took the car for its MOT today where it failed on a few things.Do I carry on paying out for parts to get it thro the MOT again. Failed on Factrured Rear Coil Spring,Front Brake Hoses Off/Nearsid,Reg Plate and Emissions.