Battery Charge Problem
Submitted: Sunday, Sep 26, 2004 at 10:13
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Member - Sam (NSW)
Approximately what raw voltage should be coming from the alternator on a 1990 Diesel Hilux?
I had been out during the morning yesterday and all seemed fine. But when I started it up around midday, the
water in fuel light, timing belt light and charge light remained on. Usually when the engine is running, I get around 14v at the battery, but on testing it yesterday arvo there was little or no difference between engine off and running (approx 12.3v). Unplugging the voltage regulator turned off the
water in fuel and timing belt lights. I measured the output from the alternator (at least what I could work out to be the output) and was only getting around 12v.
Does this sound like a bung alternator?
I do have a rotronics dual battery system fitted, but from what I could see, I dont think it is the source of the problem.
Anyone have any ideas?
cheers,
Sam.
Reply By: Member - Jimbo (VIC) - Sunday, Sep 26, 2004 at 10:19
Sunday, Sep 26, 2004 at 10:19
Sam,
The accepted voltage that an alternator should be putting out is about 14.4 volts. I'm not an auto elec so I won't guess at the problem, but I would suggest you see one (auto elec) real soon.
I would also suggest you put a charger on your batt so that it has enough juice to get you there. 12.3 volts suggests you have only about 50% charge in your batt.
AnswerID:
77869
Follow Up By: Member - Sam (NSW) - Sunday, Sep 26, 2004 at 10:21
Sunday, Sep 26, 2004 at 10:21
thanks Jimbo
thats pretty much what I thought re the output voltage.
Just when I thought this week couldn't get any worse!
I'll be taking it to one tomorrow.
cheers,
Sam.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Will - Sunday, Sep 26, 2004 at 10:26
Sunday, Sep 26, 2004 at 10:26
Hi Sam, time to visit the auto elect.
The charge rate should between 13.5 to 14.5 volts.
Try giving the alt. or the reg. a sharp tap to get it to work.
If the light goes out after hitting one of these it could tell you which one is bung.
Have you done a bit of off roading involving mud or
water recently?
If you have maybe some grit has got into the brush's.
Try giving the alt. ( when cold) a squirt of high pressure
water.
Will
AnswerID:
77870
Reply By: Will - Sunday, Sep 26, 2004 at 14:21
Sunday, Sep 26, 2004 at 14:21
Hi again Sam,
forgot to mention, check all connections and make sure the belt is 1) there and
2) adjusted correctly.
Will
AnswerID:
77880
Follow Up By: phil - Monday, Sep 27, 2004 at 15:05
Monday, Sep 27, 2004 at 15:05
I agree about the belt tightness.
A few days ago I had a distressed person, and 3 kids, knocking at our door (we are in the bush) because her car lights started to go really dim. Turned out that the alternator belt had been replaced but not properly tensioned. Although the alternator pulley seemed to be turning OK there was so much slip that it was not charging worth worrying about. The belt was one of those with multiple small ridges on it. A Falcon I think. Anyway the drive side of the belt looked like it had been chewed by a pack of rats!
Tightened it up as much as I dared and sent her on her way home which was about 60k further with nothing much in between. Hope she got there OK. It was a frosty night and she did not even have a jumper!
Phil I
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