HELP!! Alternator kit issues!!!

[Piston broke]

Hi all,

I have JUST fitted Birmingham MM centres Alternator kit to my 1971 traveller. Followed instructions to the letter. Turned engine ona and red ignition light will not go out! (it did before!). Alternator make a good whining noise on revving, and get pretty warm. all electrics work- but im worried the battery isnt getting fed and i need it for work on monday....!!!!! please help!!

[Trickydicky]

Sounds like a problem with the wiring to me, if you connect a multi meter to the battery and rev the engine does the voltage registered on the meter change to around 14v? if it stays at 12v then it is definetly not charging.

How does your supplied wiring diagram compare to this one?

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=39514

[Piston broke]

Sounds like a problem with the wiring to me, if you connect a multi meter to the battery and rev the engine does the voltage registered on the meter change to around 14v? if it stays at 12v then it is definetly not charging.

How does your supplied wiring diagram compare to this one?

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=39514

Wiring diagram bit diff as Birmingham have a purpose made loom...
Will try the rev test tomorro as given up for the night (the wine is calling.....) but half an hour ago I turned her over and the Red light went OUT... Fingers crossed and full update tomorrow. You are never alone with this place hey?!!

[bmcecosse]

I hope you converted the car to -ve earth before you started the swap..........

[Piston broke]

Yup. All negative earth. Now, today's results. First start, red light on and whining alternator. I tinkered with the connections and turned ignition key one notch. There now was NO light begire ignition and then no light on ignition. Alternator ran quieter. Ran to local shops with red light on and whining alternator (I like to live dangerously!) alternator was noisy then red light went out and all was quiet. Red light was intermittent. I'm thinking loose wire or faulty alternator???!!! Let's see if I get to work in the morning........!!

[Trickydicky]

Did you check if it was charging with a multimeter across the battery?

[Piston broke]

Did you check if it was charging with a multimeter across the battery?

Yes. It was a little higher when revving but not even 13v. That was during the red light period. Not sure what it does when red is not showing.

[bmcecosse]

Must go to 13.8/14 volts when running decent revs. Something wrong with the wiring if the light is not working correctly.

[Trickydicky]

Sounds to me as the alternator is not charging, could be a faulty alternator You havent wired it up incorectlly,started the car, realised the mistake and corrected the wiring. If so then that could have damaged the alternator?

Richard

[Piston broke]

My wiring was spot on first time. Which is good to know as I did loose confidence over this!!

I have been to see Surrey Sports and Classics who I have known for years and trust.

They did a test and the alternator was kicking out a whole 0.2 v! So it worked but just NOT WELL and not enough for the red light to go off. They say they put lots of "new" alternators in mgs and very few kick out 14v (which the new one does after a straight swap!)

So. Happy car, but out of pocket owner. Let's see how good the customer care at Birmingham mm centre is!!

[chrisryder]

If swapping the alternator and changing nothing else has cured it, then it must be the alternator at fault.

In which case, they have no reason not to give you a refund! Although they may insist on doing their own checks first before a refund is given.

[Trickydicky]

Hi,

I wasnt having a pop over your interpritation of the wiring , I was trying to eliminate any posibilitys of why the alternator should not work straight out of the box. Alternators have a diode in the circuit and if they are wired incorrectlly blow leading to no output from the alternator.

Good luck getting a refund

[Piston broke]

Yup. Return, test, refund.

It's always good to question ones wiring ability but (on this occasion) its not my doing!!

Hoorah though as my Miranda is now a MUCH happier car and...

IT'S SUNNY!!!