Alternator not charging

vectra_Mike

Had a problem yesterday and had the RAC out, turns out my alternator isn't charging, so looks like either a new alternator or voltage regulator... Gonna get the bulb first as the battery light isn't coming on, is it like older Vauxhalls where if the buld blows it breaks the whole circuit and wont allow the alternator to charge? I had this once on my calibra, has a broken wire going from the -v side of alternator to the battery and it blew the bulb, replaced bulb and wire and it worked fine again...

Also anyone know the price of a new alternator or regulator? or the price of a second hand one?

vocky

the bulb can stop the charging, so try that first

secondhand alt. are about £50

Tazmad

Christ glad this issue came up :wtf:
thats a daft design surely ? :crazy:

no other way of testing b4 getting behind the dash? notsure.gif

vectra_Mike

Checked the bulb, its fine, so would point towards the alternator/regulator... Got the alternator out, boy way that a pain of a job... Will get it tested and let you know my findings...

Tazmad

yeh mike just finding that out myself stripping whole engine out of my astra
Crazy trying to get in at some of the bits finally got the inlet and other bits off
will give eveyone a laugh when i post sum pics :problem:
but the air con + alt have 1 bolt on each just carnt get my tools/hands at :evil: :x
so well done mate :clap:

vectra_Mike

As I thought turned out to be the voltage regulator on the alternator, looks like it went pop... £70 later and it will be good for tomorrow, just got to refit the bloody thing, should be interesting lol...

Tazmad

Yeh good luck

vectra_Mike

Got it refitted, just waiting for my mate to come round with some jump leads to get the bloody thing going, be nice to have it back on the road...