Alternator problems
Turbo Mini Forums

What's the common part that keep letting us/me down?

i get through an Alternator every year or less, just wondered what it was the recon people replace, as if i could get the same parts it would save me a heep of money and hassle.

MW

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

Hi,
What alternator are you running and what is the problem / symptoms you're getting?
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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hi mat unusual?

i would slow the alt down a shade but iam led to believe that an alt is capable of 12000rpm max without any problems!

the part that almost fails is rectifier diode pack

these are about 15 pounds to buy

i would personally change supplier as i have been there before with crap & inferior workmanship.

i would go to the scrappys a cheaper & cost effective solution!

I have the problems with the Old and new types, but the latest Alternator (from a metro) has lasted the longest.

what happens is the Alternator light comes on, on the dash and when I then measuring the Voltage I then find it's not putting any charge into the battery.

I no people might say there is a problem some where, I've had things all check and every thing seems ok, even replaced the battery Even when it was meant to be ok as I know this can muck up the Alternator if faulty.

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

Just seen your post ben, cross typing lol

Good idea about slowing it down hadn't even thought of that one.

The last one i bought was from a motorshop all boxed up from a proper place, not a bad garage recon unit.

I like the sound of the £15 parts, any idea where to get them?

Yes as for scrappy :) had an old one from a metro engine been in the garden for about 2 years , not covered up or any thing.......guess what it works a TREAT! would you believe! it's as rusty and dirty as hell but it's staying on there for now



cheers Matt

Edited by Miniwilliams on 5th Mar, 2006.

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

what you need to do is first turn all the electric on (but do not put the indcators on because it makes the amp meter move up and down) with the engine turn off
you put the amp meter on the neg side of the battery remove battery lug red wire of amp meter to the battery lug and the black wire of the amp meter to the post of the battery this will give the drian on the battery so if it 45AMP you need about 55AMP alternator

Edited by jimmy on 5th Mar, 2006.

1293 Turbo mini

Hi,
There's many a problem that causes the light to come on. If it's been over revved the windings explode, unusual to sat the least. The regulator is quite common as it holds the brushes. On the metro alts this is easily removed, check the brushes stick out a fair way and move freely. If your getting through lots of rectifiers/ diode pack (same thing) a bad or intermittant connection between battery ( all the earths and pos connections) and alternator will blow these to bits every time!
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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or the D+ wire is some times going to ground with the engine runing

what is the very max rpm the engine goes to ?

1293 Turbo mini

try E bay for the rectifier packs ???

the altinator is a self contained unit!

there are two wires that come out from the plug

if you strip the shield off them you will find the thin wire is for the altanator dash light!

then there is the TWO otherwires in the plug, these are the same posative wires which go "directley" to the batt

they come out of the plug go say 200mm...ish
down the harness and then join into one wire directley to the battery.

this is done because it takes the massive current at times the altanator puts out so the plug does not over heat.

if you start the car up without ANY voltage to the alt and the alt is spinning up its good bye to the rectiefier.... its U/S

my oppinion is mat that as long as you have a good earth to the engine
if unsure fit an extra one! and you have total continuation to the batt from the plug i mentioned above.

and you have constant voltage to the alt when the engines running then my thoughts would be..... over spinning the alt.

out of all the cars i have owend & repaird may be thousands !

i have only ever come across around 3 or 4 failures thy are that reliable!

i trust its the speed if all the wiring checks out

my advice is to go for a turbo alt as they are 65 amp units.

i still say its all thenm fans running what kills your alt

and hot engine starts lol.

always looking for them bigger bunches of bannanas

you can use the ford alt from the escort turbo it is 70 amp

this is what i use if you need new parts for your alt i can get them

1293 Turbo mini

if your sure its just a run of bad alternators, which i find hard to believe but think every one aboves covered the probable causes, why dont you convert to a jap alernator these will/should last for years

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

why ?

1293 Turbo mini

its japanees, everything jap lasts 10times longer then our stuff!

it may b small but it purfectly formed
http://photobucket.com/albums/v340/1976_mi...roject%20turbo/

thats true in many respects!

its a smaller unit, if you use something like a dahatsu charade one, think it may be a tiny bit lighter and as stated it will be miles more reliable.

Edited by Carl on 5th Mar, 2006.

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

whats it`s output ?

1293 Turbo mini

not a clue to be honest but i know a few people on here use them so i know they must be ok and i dont think mini williams is running big ice or nething so i guess itd be ok for him to

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

carl what are your engine revs?

1293 Turbo mini

0 at the moment its sat on a bench at work, and couldnt tell you before i took it out as i never fitted a tacho

p.s jimmy im not using one sorry if i gave that impression

Edited by Carl on 5th Mar, 2006.

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

it`s because in have used std alt to 6500rpm with no problem

1293 Turbo mini

Well A big thanks to you all for your comments, I'm sure I should NEVER have problems in this area now.

I'll check the one I've just taken off when I get a mo and get back to you if I see any thing that's stuck or burnt out.

Yes Carl your right not big ice in mine.

I hate electrics! not my strong point if i had one.

Thanks
MW

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

Hi,
It may well be worth replacing the plug, although they look ok, once they've been on a few years the heat cycling and vibration leads to poor connections. Only cost a couple of pounds, most alternator repairers insist you replace it or the warranty is void!
Cheers,
Gavin :)

VEMs Authorised Installer / Re-seller. K head kits now available!

WB/EGT gauges. Click here for customers write-up

Visit www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk

My Mini build diary

i may have one of these for sale in a week or two. its the model with the single V pulley already fitted. It was off a charade gtti so should be high output etc.

I'm going for an even smaller one!!!

Cheers chaps, as you know though weights not an issue with me really.

God point Bat manybe i'll give the plug a look as well.
Cheers for the offer Iain i'll have a think.

cheers all
MW

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com