Probable Alternator Problem

ajb101

ajb101

Junior Member
Messages
152
Hello everyone, I'm new here and to Maserati ownership... and kick off my membership here, I'm starting with a technical issue.

Basically, on my 3200 GT, the main beam lights (not full beam) are very dim and the Voltmeter has been dropping gradually over the last few days.... I'm thinking this is an alternator problem.

Can anyone else concur?

Kind Regards,
Alex
 
Last edited:
BennyD

BennyD

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Hiya ajb, and welcome. A few questions; what is it like starting from cold? Does the heater sound slower? Does the light output increase with revs? What is the voltmeter reading? It could be the alternator or a kn4ckered battery or even a short. Put a voltmeter across the battery terminals when everything is switched off and again when running and see what the difference is. Have fun.
 
Parisien

Parisien

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Oh yeah....check and tighten all connections...including the earth.....:)

Welcome to the premier Maserati forum in the known world.......:)


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ajb101

ajb101

Junior Member
Messages
152
Hi Benny,

Thanks for your prompt response.

I cannot give an opinion on the heater as I only bought the car very recently, the lights don't seem to increase in brightness when I rev, which is something I expected to see with an alternator problem.

I'll have to dig the voltmeter out no idea where that is now :)

A

The in-car Vmeter when I bought the car sat at around 13 since then it has gradually gone lower and lower and with the car primed to start its barely hitting 11 and the red light is on, which is worrying for me right now as I don't have a second car at the moment. Ooops.

I plugged a battery charger in earlier for a while. Disconnected the charger and primed the ignition to get the reading and it seemed up... I then charged for a while longer and reading was low again (after disconnecting the charger again.)

I'm befuddled at this time.
 
BennyD

BennyD

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If possible, take the battery to Halfrauds or some such place and ask them to do a 'drop Check'. That is when they put a load on the battery and see how far the voltage drops. If the battery is ok, see an auto electrician to check the alternator.
 
ajb101

ajb101

Junior Member
Messages
152
Hmm ok this was an interesting find among the receipts...

Roberts Aerospace & Automotive said:
Alternator output was extremely variable, with output dropping to zero and the warning light coming on. Although, on disassembly and testing no immediate fault was found - unsurprising given the nature of the intermittent fault. Once the regulator and rectifier was replaced, the output was steady and good...
Click to expand...

The document continues to talk about voltage spiking when the fans kick off, however, I haven't observed this behaviour at all.
 
BennyD

BennyD

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In that case I would start with the alternator. It has obviously had a problem in the past and may well be the problem now.
 
Parisien

Parisien

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Not sure if you want to buy new or 2nd hand....in which case David Askew would be your first port of call


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Parisien

Parisien

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Parisien

Parisien

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No probs.....but if you know a decent garage locally...am sure ok to fit for you....suspicions it might be in an awkward location!


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conaero

conaero

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34,687
The way to test the altenator is with the engine running, put a voltmeter across the battery terminals. If the reading is low, less than 12v you have an altenator issue. It should read 14-14.5volts.

Fluctuating readings would point to the regulator. I am not sure if the regulator is inbuilt into the unit or separate, probably inbuilt.
 
ajb101

ajb101

Junior Member
Messages
152
Hmm... I'm not entirely sure what's going on. The in car Vm last night was reading really low after charging and continued to have the warning light on.

This morning I checked with my handheld Vm.... while off it was reading 12.7V when primed for ignition it was 12.2V I need to do another reading as per the instructions above for checking the alternator.


Again, many thanks for your help on this.

A
 
M

maserati

Junior Member
Messages
557
ajb101

Apart from Maserati independants try speaking with alternator specialists for advice eg. Sahibs Auto Electric Ltd. They are long established and are based on the North Circular Road (Hanger Lane Gyratory) just up the road from the Ace Cafe although their location may not suit you.

Norbreck Parade
London
NW10 7HR
Tel: 020 8997 8232

Regards,

Paul
 
conaero

conaero

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Remember, you could have ample voltage and charge and it be the gauge that is at fault or a wiring short.

12v plus at rest and ignition is fine, its the charging whilst running (14v +) you need to check.
 
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