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So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 1:41 pm
by MoggyBlue
So thought I'd do my conversion finally and now having to get two new bolts and took me two hours to get the dynamo off -_- doesn't seem to have been taken off for maaaay many years :S as far as I can see the pulleys line up

So once I get my bolts I will start wiring..... Joys :x

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 2:21 pm
by alexmcguffie
I'm sure the alternator installation will be easy. Its the dynamo removal that has been difficult :)

Hope its not your everyday car?

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 3:54 pm
by MoggyBlue
alexmcguffie wrote:I'm sure the alternator installation will be easy. Its the dynamo removal that has been difficult :)

Hope its not your everyday car?
Well yeah I've been into college today and re threaded a bolt and replaced another for a longer one so I can put a but on the other end now to tighten everything up and wire it up :lol: better work with all this effort it's taken xD

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 5:43 pm
by bmcecosse
Not usually a problem - the dynamo bolts are generally a bit 'oily' and come off easily enough. Were you using the correct AF ring spanners ? Why do you need new bolts?

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 10:31 pm
by MoggyBlue
bmcecosse wrote:Not usually a problem - the dynamo bolts are generally a bit 'oily' and come off easily enough. Were you using the correct AF ring spanners ? Why do you need new bolts?
Yep they were oily and the nut came off easily but the main bracket bolt at the front of the dynamo was almost welded into the bracket

Yes I was using the correct size it was a 1/2 inch if I remember right

Also I had to get another bolt as the bottom bolt was to short as the original one was screwed into the dynamo bottom (dynamo bottom hole was threaded) so I had to get a longer bolt as the alternator hope was made even to big to tap a thread in to it

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 11:17 pm
by bmcecosse
Ahh right - did the Alt not come with a new bolt/nut ? You'll need a new/shorter fan belt - did that come with the 'kit'? it is critical to ensure the pulleys end up exactly in line. It's v common to need a thin washer twixt water pump lug and alternator top front mounting lug.

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 1:30 pm
by MoggyBlue
bmcecosse wrote:Ahh right - did the Alt not come with a new bolt/nut ? You'll need a new/shorter fan belt - did that come with the 'kit'? it is critical to ensure the pulleys end up exactly in line. It's v common to need a thin washer twixt water pump lug and alternator top front mounting lug.
Nooo? :o was it ment to come with one :lol: and yeah it came with a fanbelt :) and yeah they are inline thankfully :lol: but yes the front top bolt probly could do with a few washers as there is a gap there but it's all solid for the moment and does not move :) just need to get a multimeter on it now and make sure it is charging :) what should I be looking for voltage wise I can't remember what it should be from when I did mechanics at college :roll:

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 5:35 pm
by katy
what should I be looking for voltage wise
W/the engine running at a good speed, should be around 14 (13.8 - 14.2)

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 7:48 pm
by MoggyBlue
katy wrote:
what should I be looking for voltage wise
W/the engine running at a good speed, should be around 14 (13.8 - 14.2)
I seem to be running 13.26 to 13.35 :-? is that alright? Also every once in a while the ign light shows just driving up and down the driveway, it faintly came on as I drove forward but hasn't done it again when I try get the light to show is this alright? Sorry wanting to check there are no problems now rather than later

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 11:15 pm
by bmcecosse
Doesn't sound correct - should be 14 volts as stated - and must hold that voltage with headlights and heater on. And no red light.... How did you wire it up?

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 11:46 pm
by MoggyBlue
bmcecosse wrote:Doesn't sound correct - should be 14 volts as stated - and must hold that voltage with headlights and heater on. And no red light.... How did you wire it up?
Ahhh right I had no headlights or anything on would I expect the same voltage or more with everything on? And well the loom had three connectors one big black plug to go in the back of the alternator one connector for the ign light and one to go on the soilonoid it's as the instructions came with it from ESM I was told to remove 3 connectors off the control box and two off the back of the dynamo

I will double check tomorrow what the instructions say but everything should be right

the battery could possibly be at fault though as before the conversion when engine turned off battery voltage would rise and when on the dynamo seemed to drain it and if I remember right was showing 8 or 9 volts but maybe less or a little more

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 11:51 pm
by bmcecosse
You are connected to the battery side of the solenoid....? And where did you pick up the Ign light connection? The car is -ve earth I hope !

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 11:59 pm
by MoggyBlue
bmcecosse wrote:You are connected to the battery side of the solenoid....? And where did you pick up the Ign light connection? The car is -ve earth I hope !
Yep lead going from the battery terminal to the solenoid and it is on there

And the connection was the one originally plugged into the control box a brown and green (I think), a think brown and yellow and a fat brown and yellow

And yes the car is -ive well I bloody hope so :lol: previous owner did it he had an am radio fitted so I guess it defonitly is converted what would happen if it wasnt converted just so I know weather he has done it and not just said he has and achually hasn't....

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 12:02 am
by bmcecosse
You only connect to the thin wire - NOT the thick wire... Leave it connected to the old Regulator.

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 12:07 am
by MoggyBlue
bmcecosse wrote:You only connect to the thin wire - NOT the thick wire... Leave it connected to the old Regulator.
Yeah the light is connected to the thin wire

The thick one and brown and green are just unplugged

So your saying put the thick brown and yellow back on? But wasnt the other end connected to the dynamo ( no longer connected)

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 9:37 am
by bmcecosse
Don't connect it to the alternator.. Leave it on the Regulator if it's still in place.

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 2:23 pm
by MoggyBlue
bmcecosse wrote:Don't connect it to the alternator.. Leave it on the Regulator if it's still in place.
Ok these pictures I have taken. I have changed nothing

These pictures are of each terminal I have fitted and what has been disconnected

These are the instructions and diagram suplied with the conversion[frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame]

This is the back of the alternator[frame]Image[/frame]

This is the solenoid sorry it's upside down :lol: [frame]Image[/frame]

This is the control box the two wires I am holding have been disconnected and the new looking third wire goes to the warning light[frame]Image[/frame]

Last of all this is the box there are three connectors I have disconnected[frame]Image[/frame]

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 3:56 pm
by bmcecosse
Should be right enough. What does the meter read when the battery is standing - engine not running?

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 11:43 pm
by MoggyBlue
bmcecosse wrote:Should be right enough. What does the meter read when the battery is standing - engine not running?
Yeah that's what I thought :lol: with nothing on and no engine the battery is showing 12.61 volts and if it helps it's about the same when engine running and headlights are on

Re: So much for this easy alternator installation :(

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:31 pm
by bmcecosse
Well - the meter seems ok, but it seems to me the alternator is running a bit on the low side - it should be 13.8/14 volts when running at decent revs - and pretty well holding at least 13.8 with headlights on. Is the belt tight enough - not slipping?