Help: Alternator?

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » January 31st, 2006, 11:14 pm

Not really using/driving it enough to kill a second battery. I'd be looking for some type of short. Did you by any chance do something a little while ago like, under car lighting, extra interior lighting, hook up a new sound system or a new amp? If yes to any of these, then this could be your potential area to focus on. Leaving a high power amp hooked to a constant source (non-switched power) could probably drain it. Just something to consider. One other consideration, start the car and turn on all of the exterior and interior lights and report back if any of them are out including small side markers, licence plate light etc.

FlyVFR · Post by **FlyVFR** » February 1st, 2006, 1:45 am

93emeraldGS wrote:so if i get a chance to drive to the shop get them to do a "load test" and that could give me the answers to my prayers?
appreicate ur help

It depends on what you're praying for

93emeraldGS wrote:i've gone through 2 New batteries, and i've only started the car about 3 times each time(with the new battery) and each time after that the battery is dead and the car won't start...but once the battery is replaced it starts perfect...would that be the alternator or?

How long is the car sitting before each start? If there is a considerable load on the battery after the ignition is turned off ie. alarm, trunk light, interior lights or like any of the things jschrauwen pointed out and depending on how long the charging interval (assuming the alt is good) the battery will drain to the point where it will not have enough energy to power the starter. Depending on the "draining source" or load, the battery can discharge in as little time as overnight.

I would follow jschrauwen post and then follow MOSES post (if necessary) to have it "load" tested (check current draw while car is turned off)

MOSES · Post by **MOSES** » February 1st, 2006, 12:12 pm

a "load test" would show what "jschrauwen" is asking.
and yes, i do belive the car would have to be off to do this test. my bad

FlyVFR · Post by **FlyVFR** » February 1st, 2006, 1:28 pm

Since we are taking time to come up with a solution I put my last post in retrospect to other posts with saving a trip to the repair shop (test center) in mind.

But in general and as Moses pointed out, a repair/parts center will hook up a battery tester and check the entire system free of charge, at least AutoZone does in my neck of the woods.

verzutiko · Post by **verzutiko** » February 1st, 2006, 5:33 pm

Hi people!

Having the same issue as this thread-starter.

My car died on my on sunday, I hooked it up with my friend's car battery and it functioned.

Monday, it was dead again. I thought: "maybe the cold killed my battery (the battery was old)." So I buy myself a new battery. Change the battery in the evening and she started fine. My problem solved I thought.

Tuesday: Going to work, I turn my key...nothing. I get my friend's car, hook it up with his battery and drive for 1 hour to recharge the battery.

Wednesday (today): Going to work, I turn my key...nothing. I'm getting real frustrated, so after work I walk down to an auto-specialist to explain my problem. They say it is the brushes inside the alternator (not to good in english here, but the alternator is the device which re-charge my battery, right?).

I buy new BOSCH brushes and take it to my mechanic. After some work we get the alternator (or whatever that thing which re-charges my battery is called) off, unscrew it, and voilà! The brushes inside are completely broken. There was my problem solved I thought.

But unfortunelately, the brushes inside the alternator are not held up by screws, they are leaded!

Does anyone in this Forum know what I can do to change the brushes, or is my only solution to change the whole alternator?

Thanks in advance,
Lars

Post by **Custommx3** » February 1st, 2006, 5:45 pm

Unfortunatley that may be your best option.

and yes the alternator is what recharges the battery.

MOSES · Post by **MOSES** » February 1st, 2006, 6:42 pm

where did "93emeraldGS" go?
isnt this his problem? lol

FlyVFR · Post by **FlyVFR** » February 1st, 2006, 7:28 pm

Maybe it got fixed and left us to chat amongst ourselves.

MOSES · Post by **MOSES** » February 2nd, 2006, 12:52 am

FlyVFR wrote:Maybe it got fixed and left us to chat amongst ourselves.

should we continue chatting and wasting our own time or should we go find some other problems to fix?

FlyVFR · Post by **FlyVFR** » February 2nd, 2006, 5:18 am

Moses, I see your point, I find chatting is always fun and hopefully not a waste of our time, especially since it has the potential to help out MX-3 enthusiasts and to share views, experiences and knowledge with other knowledgeable members such as yourself. New problems are always challenging and I'm willing to help out if I can. With that said, let's go fix some other problems.

FlyVFR · Post by **FlyVFR** » February 2nd, 2006, 5:37 am

verzutiko wrote:Hi people!

Having the same issue as this thread-starter.

My car died on my on sunday, I hooked it up with my friend's car battery and it functioned.

Monday, it was dead again. I thought: "maybe the cold killed my battery (the battery was old)." So I buy myself a new battery. Change the battery in the evening and she started fine. My problem solved I thought.

Tuesday: Going to work, I turn my key...nothing. I get my friend's car, hook it up with his battery and drive for 1 hour to recharge the battery.

Wednesday (today): Going to work, I turn my key...nothing. I'm getting real frustrated, so after work I walk down to an auto-specialist to explain my problem. They say it is the brushes inside the alternator (not to good in english here, but the alternator is the device which re-charge my battery, right?).

I buy new BOSCH brushes and take it to my mechanic. After some work we get the alternator (or whatever that thing which re-charges my battery is called) off, unscrew it, and voilà! The brushes inside are completely broken. There was my problem solved I thought.

But unfortunelately, the brushes inside the alternator are not held up by screws, they are leaded!

Does anyone in this Forum know what I can do to change the brushes, or is my only solution to change the whole alternator?

Thanks in advance,
Lars

Hello,

The brushes can be replaced. I think they are held in place by springs (which may also need replacement) but may also have a stranded connection that is "leaded" or as we say in the US "soldered" in. If you have a "92" shop repair manual refer to pages G 15 - G17. Good luck.

BTW - replacing the brushes/spring assy would only be economical if investing your own time to do the work (then again it depends on how much you'd pay yourself

) and also making sure the rest of the assy such as the slip rings, rectifiers, stator coil etc. are in good shape

verzutiko · Post by **verzutiko** » February 2nd, 2006, 5:41 am

Update:

I went to a car electronics specialists, and they will change the brushes. I looked up the Online Manual page G-015 and G-016 which explains the procedure of checking and changing parts of the alternator. No need to buy the whole alternator.

Change of the brushes: 800 NOK, or approx. 122 USD.
New alternator price : 4400 NOK, or approx. 671 USD.

Hopefully, my baby will be up and running tonight!

Edit: Thanks FlyVFR for your info, didn't see your post until I was finished with mine.

FlyVFR · Post by **FlyVFR** » February 2nd, 2006, 5:57 am

verzutiko wrote: Edit: Thanks FlyVFR for your info, didn't see your post until I was finished with mine.

Welcome,

I was editing my post while you typed yours.

At least we're on the same track

$671.00 US for a new one? Much better to fix it in your case. In the US we can buy a whole unit for less than $200.00 US.

verzutiko · Post by **verzutiko** » February 2nd, 2006, 11:19 am

AARRGGHHH!!!!

It seems like some kind of diode-bridge was broken, so the alternator drained current from my battery when the car was off. Then we had to fix the regulator, so in the end my mechanic said that I was better of buying a brand new alternator.

Managed to get a better deal though: 534,- USD

"Welcome to Norway, please make sure your seat is in the upright position and check that you have your wallet stacked up with cash!"

lakersfan1 · Post by **lakersfan1** » February 2nd, 2006, 1:37 pm

You guys don't have junkyards there, or are they just as expensive? I'd think it'd be cheaper to buy a new Bosch alternator online and have it shipped to Norway.

MX-3.com

Help: Alternator?

Re: Help: Alternator?