Suspect Alternator Failed

C

ChrisH

Junior Member
Messages
89
Hi All,

So less than a year into ownership and I already have content for the low loader thread :confused: I'll see if I can dig out the picture when I have a chance (month or two back - just haven't had a chance to assess).

Basically when driving home one day the red voltage warning light came on and slowly the voltage gauge dropped before inevitably the dashboard started lighting up and we came to a halt. Given the car was running initially the alternator was the first most logical point, but I had always been suspicious of the cheap no name battery in there so as a first step I just picked up a new Bosch S5 for a good price. That's now in, fully charged and known not to be the fault. Volts when everything is switched off are a solid 12.4v... but less than 12... 11 point something... when running... and red discharge light still illuminated. To confirm, it's not the aux belt, that is ok, so the alternator is turning, but clearly no juice is getting to the battery. It had been going flat quite easily since I bought the car which I put down to bad drain / **** battery but I now wonder if charging has been sub optimal and slowly declining for a while...

So before I order a replacement alternator (I've read the 'do not resuscitate' warnings) is there anything else I should check that could be suspect or is the diagnosis crystal?

Can I also ask if there is a recommended supplier / brand? And also if there are other jobs to tick at the same time (I'm thinking aux belt and tensioners as a min)? The job sounds simple enough in a decent home garage but if anyone is aware of any major gotchas please shout before I'm knees deep.

Thanks all, help much appreciated...

Chris
 
Zep

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,285
There replacement is pretty straight forward, but you will need to remove the inlet manifold to gain access. So you will need the gaskets for this and make sure you don’t drop a bolt into any of the inlets.

I’ll have a rummage and see if there is a guide.
 
T

TimR

Member
Messages
2,731
If you go OEM, Maserati will sting you +£800 for the pleasure of the Denso unit they use. Known to give up the ghost, commonly around 50-60K miles they tell me...My guess is the heat damage resulting from it's placem,ent inside the engine V
There isnt really an alternative. This I have come to know from an auto electrics mob who looked at it in some depth, and drew a blank. Im happy to be told otherwise.
Mine went south inside 1000 miles of owning the car... Hidden issue because of a tender in use against the dreaded "drain". The diode packs are typically the reason...

My advice is get it rewound. You can find 2nd hand unit. It;; set you back @£350 off a eBay. No idea about mileage before it was "recalaimed and no warranty..( they go pop @50-60K miles but i said that!)

Or, as I did. get a rewind. Less than £230 delivered to your door, looks like new ( cos they blast and shot peen the casting cases), rewound, upgraded diode pack, new bearings + 1 yr warranty.

I reckon it's a no brainer. Others have tried this route apparently, and had problems with the refurbed units. I hasten to add, not with this crew ! Id argue not all rewinds are the same....?

http://www.londonessexautoelectrics.co.uk/home


Its an easy fix. Rip out the plenum, off with the alternator. Replace the intake gaskets at reassembly.
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,632
Buy new not recon, it’s not worth saving a couple of hundred quid.

To confirm failure, ignore the dash volt meter, it’s notiriously unreliable. With the engine running, put a volt meter accross the battery terminals. 14.4v is what your after. Anything under 13.5v and the alternator has had it!
 
C

ChrisH

Junior Member
Messages
89
Thanks guys. Voltages I measured were at the battery and sure enough... car has done 60k miles... so I guess pending a silly wiring issue we're pretty sure the alternator is at fault.

Any thoughts on aux belt whilst I'm kinda in there? What's the reliability and service interval on those plus tensioner?

Thanks

Chris
 
Nibby

Nibby

Member
Messages
2,092
Don't suppose as it's a Japanese made item it might be used on other brand cars without the Maserati tax?
 
HowardM

HowardM

Junior Member
Messages
37
Factory schedule on the belt is 3yrs I believe but it's only ~£20 so may as well replace it. When I did the alternator on my QP (at 60K!) the idler and tensioner were just fine, not squeaking/grumbling and could feel no play or notchiness in the bearings, so as they're fairly easy to get to I decided not to change them.
 
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TimR

Member
Messages
2,731
I think I remember reading that the bearings on the pulley set up- when/if they go bad and unattended, will cause wear in the engine castings.
On that basis, I would recommend assessing for good condition...
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,879
If you are taking the belt off check the AC compressor pully wheel. Any looseness or grumbles indicate it's ready to go and if it does it may sieze and leave you stranded with no PS or alternator.
 
BennyD

BennyD

Sea Urchin Pate
Messages
15,006
Mine did too. I got it repaired and then the f*cker caught fire. A good excuse to paint the plenum red. Happy days!
 
tcrote5516

tcrote5516

Junior Member
Messages
86
BennyD said:
Mine did too. I got it repaired and then the f*cker caught fire. A good excuse to paint the plenum red. Happy days!
Click to expand...
Haha! I didn't know anyone else painted it red. Welcome to the small club!
nvOxHgM.jpg
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,632
It actually looks good as normally I wouldn't entertain straying from OEM.

Crackle paint yes?
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,632
Ah, its because you painted your engine covers why it looks so good. Well done.

Benny, get the black spray out mate!
 
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