alternator fail??

[Devadave]

We was away at the weekend wilding on Anglesey, the weather so nice we stayed late and drove home after dark...when.....

The red charge light was glowing on the vans dashboard, but the fridge was still being chilled as we drove, lights were noticibly dimmer than usual, so sent codriver (Mrs Deva ) back to turn the fridge off, then when we got home stopped the van to empty toilet etc,
and then tried restarting engine to back van under car post and "dead" battery, click click etc etc .. however all the aux lights were bright as usual.

Too dark and late to get meter out and test, just used jump leads off the car to start it up and get it secured under cover.
Red light did not go out when turned lights on or off


So my question is...

Is there normally two feeds coming off the alternator with two separate fuses?

Its a Compass Merit 410, running on a boxer 2,5td and the year is 1998 or "S" reg

any thoughts would be most helpful or if someone else had a similar issue,:idea: might save me a bit of time when fault finding when I get home tonight...
cheers playmates...

Dave

:drive:

 

[vwalan]

could be its just blown the charging diodes . if you bump start it the diodes for kleeping the engine running are ok .
visit to auto electrician seems your best bet . or take alternator to them .
could be cheap .

 

[Devadave]

cheers but defo wont be bump starting this...its 3.5 ton! :wacko:

It does start when I use the jump leads and stays running when I take the jump leads off...so I guess that's what you mean?


don't mind bumping me motorbikes... :idea:

 

[vwalan]

would start with a pull or push if on the right slope .
but does seem alternator diodes gone .
might be only a 25 quid repair if you can get alternator off and into a friendly auto electric shop.

 

[molly 2]

It also depends on your diy skills

 

[Devadave]

would start with a pull or push if on the right slope .
but does seem alternator diodes gone .
might be only a 25 quid repair if you can get alternator off and into a friendly auto electric shop.

Is there separate diodes for the circuit that kept the fridge working when driving? You see what Im getting at.. surely it cant be the alternator if im getting power at the fridge, when I get home ill do the testing before it gets dark...
If I take the alternator off, and I can see its a under the vehicle to get it out, then I will fit a new alternator...save me more in the long run ..:dance:
Do you know how much the chiropracticioner charges?? lol

 

[vwalan]

Is there separate diodes for the circuit that kept the fridge working when driving? You see what Im getting at.. surely it cant be the alternator if im getting power at the fridge, when I get home ill do the testing before it gets dark...
If I take the alternator off, and I can see its a under the vehicle to get it out, then I will fit a new alternator...save me more in the long run ..:dance:
Do you know how much the chiropracticioner charges?? lol

cant help with that price .
i ran my own garage for years so still know a few auto electricians round here . i know what most will charge .
like to keep in touch with my old contacts .
the fridge may have just been taking power from the battery as the relay for it works with the ign on but not when ign is off.

 

[Deleted member 207]

Try the obvious first before you start pulling the alternator off the engine.

Belt tension or belt broken?

Check the plug in the back of the alternator - if there is one.

Recharge the battery and make sure that it holds a charge under load - a totally stuffed battery can trick the charge circuit to show the alternator as not charging.

If all that lot looks good - then pull the alternator and get it checked by an auto electrician.

Does that engine have common rail injection or a pipe to each injector?

 

[Devadave]

Try the obvious first before you start pulling the alternator off the engine.

Belt tension or belt broken?

Check the plug in the back of the alternator - if there is one.

Recharge the battery and make sure that it holds a charge under load - a totally stuffed battery can trick the charge circuit to show the alternator as not charging.

If all that lot looks good - then pull the alternator and get it checked by an auto electrician.

Does that engine have common rail injection or a pipe to each injector?

Put my multi meter on the battery, and on running only getting 11 volts, all connections checked for corrosion loose etc...battery is new this year.
Van in Garage tomo they offered to get alternator refurbed, but I'm following the redistribution of wealth theory....new alternator to be fitted tomo. :camper: