'Alternator failure' warning but alternator producing 14v.

[Belfry]

So I’ve got the scuttle, wipers, wiper motor, injectors, fuel rail and intake manifold off. The replacement alternator and gaskets are ordered. The pesky little rubber hose near the alternator was replaced 18 months ago. Anything else I should replace while I’m in there?

I’ve been looking for torque settings for the dozen or so bolts on the intake manifold without success. Does anyone know this information?

 

[Evo Cymru]

Think torque settings for the inlet manifold are 10Nm and ignition coils were the same. Wiring cover bolts 8Nm with some loctite 242. I think I recall Aldus Voice suggesting replacing the knock sensors while you are in there - not hideous money (by Maserati standards anyway!)

 

[conaero]

Just hand tight with a small 1/4” socket, as with anything Ali don’t go mad. Watch you have the plenum green o rings in place and they don’t fall out.

Also check the alternator plug for signs of heat/melting.

Personally I would not touch the knock sensors, disturbing them can crack them and they never fail.

If it’s a 4.2 and over 50k miles I would replace the small water pipe down the back too as a preventative measure as we have seen them split and thus lose your coolant system. It’s a ***** to change mind

 

[Belfry]

14.2v!
I did it! New alternator and gaskets in place and car running well.
now I need to put the wipers mechanism, scuttle and engine panels back on.

 

[philw696]

Well Done

 

[gb-gta]

Alternator required on mine.
No warning light on dash though , just had dead battery for apparently no reason. Was only 2 years old, took it out, tested with ctek, charge ok but no. 5 light came on on the charger indicating battery knackered and won’t hold charge.

Got new one, fitted that, just been down to Autoshield for check and seems my alternator is overcharging. Probably worse than under charging. This has most likely cooked my battery, so new alternator it is before it cooks the new one too…..or sets my car on fire!
Taxi home for me!

I guess it’s worth checking voltage every now and again as mine didn’t throw up any warning light.

 

[CatmanV2]

Alternator required on mine.
No warning light on dash though , just had dead battery for apparently no reason. Was only 2 years old, took it out, tested with ctek, charge ok but no. 5 light came on on the charger indicating battery knackered and won’t hold charge.

Got new one, fitted that, just been down to Autoshield for check and seems my alternator is overcharging. Probably worse than under charging. This has most likely cooked my battery, so new alternator it is before it cooks the new one too…..or sets my car on fire!
Taxi home for me!

I guess it’s worth checking voltage every now and again as mine didn’t throw up any warning light.

What gearbox have you got? The ZF locks in gear in an overvoltage state. So if you're not getting over voltage.....

C

 

[gb-gta]

ZF.
I’ll check with them Monday before they fit a new alternator!

Edit- How long should batteries last anyway. I know these cars are pretty heavy on batteries. Mine was just 2 years old, car doesn’t do loads of miles, about 4-5k a year but is used every week, so I guess something is killing the battery?

 

[CatmanV2]

ZF.
I’ll check with them Monday before they fit a new alternator!

Edit- How long should batteries last anyway. I know these cars are pretty heavy on batteries. Mine was just 2 years old, car doesn’t do loads of miles, about 4-5k a year but is used every week, so I guess something is killing the battery?

I certainly wouldn't look to contradict Marios but wonder how it can be overcharging without voltage going over 12v. Mine did do it and the ZF locked up every time the light went on......

Battery life is going to be very dependent on what the alternator is doing, so assuming Marios is right, it's not really going to be an average battery life, if that makes sense?

C

 

[gb-gta]

I’m no expert but I guess it’s either caused by a duff battery or duff/dying alternator lunching the battery over time
When it went I had done a 100 mile round trip the day before, went to go out the next morning and it was dead, well no turning over just flicking rev counter.

 

[BennyD]

I've had alternator problems in the past so I'm pretty well versed in 'how bad can it be?'. Firstly it started overcharging on a LeMans trip; driving back 45 mins from the circuit overcharged the battery to the extent it was literally whistling and the sides of the battery were bulging. It was so hot I couldn't touch the f*cker for over 2 hours but, luckily, it didn't explode. I got the alternator repaired, but don't try this at home. It worked OK for a time until I was transport for a Prom evening; I pulled up outside the venue after taking the lad on a high speed thrash (the fastest he had ever been was 70, so I doubled it)
and I saw smoke coming from the front wheel arches. Thinking it was smoking brakes I drove away and about 200 yards further on it cut out. I opened the bonnet and had to work out a plan to put the fire out. 3 extinguishers later the f*cker was still alight so the battery cut out was twisted and the fire was extinguished. Lessons learned;

1. An over charging alternator can really f*ck your day up.
2. DO NOT, under any circumstances get an alternator repaired, take the hit and get a new one.
3. If the alternator catches fire, hit the battery master BEFORE trying to put the f*cker out.

 

[TimR]

Had my alternator rewound after it seized solid very soon after I bought my 4200
Uprated diodes, new guts and bearings, came back looking brand new...
8K mikes later, it’s all good....!

 

[BennyD]

Had my alternator rewound after it seized solid very soon after I bought my 4200
Uprated diodes, new guts and bearings, came back looking brand new...
8K mikes later, it’s all good....!

You are lucky. Please post the name of the repairers for the benefit of us all. Thanks.