Morris Minor Owners Club

Please don't take this the wrong way, it's such a simple point that we've overlooked: Is there a fan belt fitted, is the alternator spinning when the engine is running?

Another thought, is this the correct alternator - they are available in both clockwise and anti-clockwise form (for different engines or mounting configurations). If it's a unit designed to work the "wrong way round" then it will not generate on a Minor. Sorry, can't recall whether it was supplied by a Minor specialist or another source.

Have you confirmed connections on back of ignition switch? The warning light must be getting it's power from somewhere, and my guess is that the white feed wire is live all the time instead of being switched by the key.

On the plus side, you can get an MOT with a fully charged battery (to start the car and run the lights etc) without any need to have the alternator charging the battery.

I connect the black clip to the neg and the red prob to postive. Take a reading on tickover then rev up the engine to get a alternator reading but not so far.

That's positive and negative on the battery yes?

Yes the neg has a clip which I attach to the terminal marked - the red is on the side marked +. This is correct and a friend has also checked it for me.
I'm out for the day but this is good as you are talking in a way I understand.
Out for the day but be back tonight so what is the next check?
Alan

Is the belt tight? Ei, you can't turn it by hand?

Yes belt is tight and a new one fitted this week.
Off now for the day so talk later

As A friend fitted the belt only a few days before I was sure that it was correct,tight but just checked and I can just turn by hand. Should I tighten it in the morning?
I cannot see this as the reason the light is on all the time.
Alan

yes it needs to be tight, and no it wont solve the light, but it might solve the alternator not charging, which i believe ot be seperate problems.

OK wil tighten up in the morning.
Alan

It's a balance, not too tight or you will get excess wear on the bearings. Too loose and it will slip = poor charge and screeching noise. On the longest side of the triangle, there should be about 1/2 inch deflection of the belt.

Just checked the belt on the longest side and it's 1/2 inch ( or as close as I can get it ) so correct and does not need alteration.
What is next step?
Alan

Hi
Just fitted electric windscreen washer so apart from the alternator ready for MOT.

Hi
To answer a early post the alternator was from a Minor dealer ( Moss of Manchester )
there is a electric fan fitted so the old blade has been removed

I would unplug the alternator and run a temporary cable directly from the large terminal to the battery +ve terminal. Does it charge now ?

Thanks for that
At a Minor club meeting on Monday night I was told to run a thick cable from the alternator to the battery side of the soledoid.
Is this not the same as you are saying or should I run it to the plus side of the battery?
Shopping day so will buy some thicg cable as I've just had a look at the loom and I've no wire that thick.
So will connect up in the morning and let you know.
Thank you
Alan

Yes - effectively the same thing - although going direct to the battery +ve eliminates any chance of some strange fault in the solenoid.

If you can't get a thick wire then you can double or treble a thinner wire to make up the grade.

Have a thick cable now but Halfords in Preston did not have a bayonet fitting the right size so pick one up local first thing in the morning.
Alan

Good morning
Disconnected the alternator and connected cable to large fitting,the other end to battery +ve terminal.
Connected the meter and apart from the battery lights the 13v light on the alternator warning came on, Picked up the revs and all the lights come on. The alternator is showing 14.5v so it works, it must be in the cables is a fault?
ALan

Indeed - the alternator is certainly working fine.