Is my alternator dead?
31 July 2010, 02:37 PM
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Wales.
Posts: 4,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is my alternator dead?
I got up for work this morning and my battery was flat 
Now, putting a volt meter on it after getting it going, it was only getting about 12 volts charge. I drove to the petrol station, filled up and It died again. Managed to get a jumpstart and kept an eye on the voltmeter all the way to work. It was charging erratically from 12.5 to 14.5 ish. What do you guys reckon? (Been quoted £217 for an alternator btw...good price?) Thanks.
Now, putting a volt meter on it after getting it going, it was only getting about 12 volts charge. I drove to the petrol station, filled up and It died again. Managed to get a jumpstart and kept an eye on the voltmeter all the way to work. It was charging erratically from 12.5 to 14.5 ish. What do you guys reckon? (Been quoted £217 for an alternator btw...good price?) Thanks.
Last edited by ScoobySteve69; 01 August 2010 at 11:47 PM.
01 August 2010, 10:41 AM
#4
I got up for work this morning and my battery was flat Now, putting a volt meter on it after getting it going, it was only getting about 12 amps charge. I drove to the petrol station, filled up and It died again. Managed to get a jumpstart and kept an eye on the voltmeter all the way to work. It was charging erratically from 12.5 to 14.5 ish. What do you guys reckon? (Been quoted £217 for an alternator btw...good price?) Thanks.
Now, putting a volt meter on it after getting it going, it was only getting about 12 amps charge. I drove to the petrol station, filled up and It died again. Managed to get a jumpstart and kept an eye on the voltmeter all the way to work. It was charging erratically from 12.5 to 14.5 ish. What do you guys reckon? (Been quoted £217 for an alternator btw...good price?) Thanks.Last edited by jpor; 01 August 2010 at 10:44 AM.
01 August 2010, 11:41 AM
#5
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: 1600cc's of twin scroll fun :)
Posts: 25,565
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
You need to take the battery out and charge it, if it holds the charge (around 12.8v disconnected) then that isnt the issue and its your alternator 
Also if its the alternator, ensure its the correct one, they are not cheap as they have a chip inside for the "smart" charging feature, putting one on that doesnt have this chip in may cause you issues
If your lucky it will just be a battery issue, is it the original battery??
Tony
Also if its the alternator, ensure its the correct one, they are not cheap as they have a chip inside for the "smart" charging feature, putting one on that doesnt have this chip in may cause you issues
If your lucky it will just be a battery issue, is it the original battery??
Tony
01 August 2010, 02:08 PM
#6
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Wales.
Posts: 4,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sounds a similar problem I had recently on my 53 STi. But it wasn't the Alternator that had died it was caused by the lead on top of the alternator not being screwed down properly (Regulator?) Oh also keep the internal fans on the first notch so that the alternator keeps charging the battery from now on (Smart Alternators on these cars).
Do you mean I should always have my fans on? How does this `smart charge` work then?
You need to take the battery out and charge it, if it holds the charge (around 12.8v disconnected) then that isnt the issue and its your alternator
Also if its the alternator, ensure its the correct one, they are not cheap as they have a chip inside for the "smart" charging feature, putting one on that doesnt have this chip in may cause you issues
If your lucky it will just be a battery issue, is it the original battery??
Tony
Also if its the alternator, ensure its the correct one, they are not cheap as they have a chip inside for the "smart" charging feature, putting one on that doesnt have this chip in may cause you issues
If your lucky it will just be a battery issue, is it the original battery??
Tony
I don`t know if it`s the original battery
01 August 2010, 04:27 PM
#7
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: 1600cc's of twin scroll fun :)
Posts: 25,565
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Smart charging works when it needs to, say for example your pootering around town, your battery will charge up, when you go for a "gear down and floor it" action, it stops charging so it gives you a bhp or 2 more.
Seems to charge better with the lights on
Tony
Seems to charge better with the lights on
Tony
Trending Topics
01 August 2010, 06:11 PM
#8
Funny enough, the shift electrician mentioned the regulator!
Do you mean I should always have my fans on? How does this `smart charge` work then?
I`ll try that tonight when I get home!! The alternator I`ve been quoted for is from Subaru as they were the cheapest my garage found last time they needed one
I don`t know if it`s the original battery
Do you mean I should always have my fans on? How does this `smart charge` work then?
I`ll try that tonight when I get home!! The alternator I`ve been quoted for is from Subaru as they were the cheapest my garage found last time they needed one
I don`t know if it`s the original battery
Always keep the cooler/heater fan on notch 1, and it is fine, the Scangauge II I hooked up to the OBDII port reports back the battery is on constant charge @ around 13.7/8 Volts. On start up the voltage is upto 14.4v until it settles down. Worth a look under the red domed part to see if it hasn't melted
Like mine did, the new part costs around £30-£40.
01 August 2010, 08:54 PM
#9
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Wales.
Posts: 4,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Basically find if you have the internal cooler/heater fan going or the side lights the alternator picks up the battery is being drained and therefore the alternator kicks in to put more back in.
Always keep the cooler/heater fan on notch 1, and it is fine, the Scangauge II I hooked up to the OBDII port reports back the battery is on constant charge @ around 13.7/8 Volts. On start up the voltage is upto 14.4v until it settles down. Worth a look under the red domed part to see if it hasn't melted Like mine did, the new part costs around £30-£40.
Always keep the cooler/heater fan on notch 1, and it is fine, the Scangauge II I hooked up to the OBDII port reports back the battery is on constant charge @ around 13.7/8 Volts. On start up the voltage is upto 14.4v until it settles down. Worth a look under the red domed part to see if it hasn't melted
Like mine did, the new part costs around £30-£40.
01 August 2010, 09:20 PM
#10
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Wales.
Posts: 4,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just had a look under the `red dome` and it looks fine there, all shiny and solid .....or rather,
I turned the key, it spluttered a bit but then fired up and it`s stood in my garage since last night!!!!
I`ll have to see what the garage diagnose tomorrow and let ya all know. Thanks
.....or rather, I turned the key, it spluttered a bit but then fired up and it`s stood in my garage since last night!!!!
I`ll have to see what the garage diagnose tomorrow and let ya all know. Thanks
01 August 2010, 11:42 PM
#11
Just had a look under the `red dome` and it looks fine there, all shiny and solid .....or rather,
I turned the key, it spluttered a bit but then fired up and it`s stood in my garage since last night!!!!
I`ll have to see what the garage diagnose tomorrow and let ya all know. Thanks
.....or rather, I turned the key, it spluttered a bit but then fired up and it`s stood in my garage since last night!!!!
I`ll have to see what the garage diagnose tomorrow and let ya all know. Thanks
02 August 2010, 07:24 AM
#12
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Bookham, Surrey, UK
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I confess I'm not sure if they are replaceable or if you can even buy them but, having been through this several times in the past including getting the alternator tested by specialists to be told "it's f**ked mate" a new set of brushes at less than a fiver (well, it was a long time ago!) always solved the problem for me.
02 August 2010, 01:04 PM
#13
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Wales.
Posts: 4,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is the alternator and a new one is.......................£800 But he can get guaranteed reconditioned one for £325 with £100 back for old one!!!
But he can get guaranteed reconditioned one for £325 with £100 back for old one!!!
02 August 2010, 03:41 PM
#15
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Wales.
Posts: 4,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cos it started earlier, he`s not 100% sure it is the alternator so he`s gonna get it tested tomorrow. Oh yeah, also told me my turbo is small :-(
02 August 2010, 03:43 PM
#16
02 August 2010, 04:25 PM
#17
The alternator does not charge the battery until the engine gets up to operating temperature, thus if you do lots of small trips and do not use your lights etc.. your battery will go flat.
The trick is to leave your side lights on when driving short distances which draws enough power to tell the on-board computer to charge the battery in these conditions
The trick is to leave your side lights on when driving short distances which draws enough power to tell the on-board computer to charge the battery in these conditions
06 August 2010, 12:38 PM
#18
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Wales.
Posts: 4,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I`ve waited a poxy week for this alternator now!!! It was definately due to be delivered to the garage today (originally Wednesday)......but the guy has been told they`re on back order and it`ll be next week 
So, I rang them up (Threeways in Abergele 
) and fired some ***** into them. I explained that I`m in work Tuesday to Friday then Im going on holiday Saturday and I need clothes and stuff, so they`re gonna try and rush it through. Useless c@nts!
The worse thing was, I had to go to a Subaru driving day at Prestwold Hall yesterday in.................................my mates VW camper van grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
So, I rang them up (Threeways in Abergele ) and fired some ***** into them. I explained that I`m in work Tuesday to Friday then Im going on holiday Saturday and I need clothes and stuff, so they`re gonna try and rush it through. Useless c@nts!The worse thing was, I had to go to a Subaru driving day at Prestwold Hall yesterday in.................................my mates VW camper van grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
06 August 2010, 01:22 PM
#19
Got to be honest mate,but i would have change the battery before changing the alternator.I say that because i have similar problem,what happen was my car alarm went off at 5:30 am and it wouldn't turn off(my neighbors weren't happy).The problem was a flat battery and the Sigma alarm is designed to keep going off till power is restored.Anyway i did the usual test(volt meter)and was only getting 12.5 volts and thought it was the alternator,took to a well known Specialist and they also said the alternator was at fault and ordered a new one.One week later i got a phone call from them saying that they couldn't get a new one in time but they got a alternator which they know work's and it was doing the same as the one they took off,after a few phone call's they found out my car has a smart alternator and it was just the battery.New one fitted and 18 month's later i had no problem's.
06 August 2010, 04:55 PM
#20
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Wales.
Posts: 4,636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But when I drove it to work the volts were very erratic.....12.5 to 14 then back, then up again! Also, he says he`s had the alternator tested. He also said for piece of mind, I could take the battery somewhere and get it tested seeing as I haven`t actually paid for the alternetor yet.
06 August 2010, 05:06 PM
#21
But when I drove it to work the volts were very erratic.....12.5 to 14 then back, then up again! Also, he says he`s had the alternator tested. He also said for piece of mind, I could take the battery somewhere and get it tested seeing as I haven`t actually paid for the alternator yet.
06 August 2010, 08:51 PM
#23
My03 Newage have the smart alternator. Mine does and it's one of the first generation registered MY03's when Subaru changed the shape over form the bugeye to the blob. Mines on a 53 plate.
06 August 2010, 10:49 PM
#25
Ive been researching a fair bit on subaru alternators as im trying to purchase a high output version to power a car audio system.
I would deffo try a new battery first or at least get it properly tested as i havnt found many new age cars with alt problems unless overheated by bad/loose connections. There seems to be two main types smart early 2 wire version and later (smart) 3 wire version.
If you do find the alternator is at fault there a loads on ebay if u dont mind chancing a used one for around £85 or for not much more try here http://alternatorsnstarters.co.uk/default.aspx
Give them a call very reasonable prices, they will hopefully soon be making me a 200a version compared to the measly 75a standard..
I would deffo try a new battery first or at least get it properly tested as i havnt found many new age cars with alt problems unless overheated by bad/loose connections. There seems to be two main types smart early 2 wire version and later (smart) 3 wire version.
If you do find the alternator is at fault there a loads on ebay if u dont mind chancing a used one for around £85 or for not much more try here http://alternatorsnstarters.co.uk/default.aspx
Give them a call very reasonable prices, they will hopefully soon be making me a 200a version compared to the measly 75a standard..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
28 December 2015 11:07 PM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
12
18 November 2015 07:03 AM
Sub-Subaru
General Technical
1
28 September 2015 12:47 PM
