Evening all,
Twice this evening my battery light on the dash stayed on longer than normal after starting the car, it went out fully after a little while but it started to flicker gently on tickover.
The belt isn't slack, left it an hour or so and started it a couple of times, light went out straight away but gently flickered until i revved the engine, it then went out completely.
I'm thinking it's the bushes, if so what sort of a job is it and any ideas on prices or other solutions to the symptoms.
Thanks
Ellis
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I think you mean brushes? An alternator usually has slip rings, same sort of thing really. The last ones I changed were in an Allegro, not difficult, they are in the rear of the alternator, you generally have to remove the diode pack which may involve some unsoldering/soldering.
They don't cost much, I would have thought <£10 from a Lucas agent. They will need the type of alternator fitted, though. If you can, clean the outside of it and write down any numbers you see on it.
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if it were me id swap it for a recon unit
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Take it to an autoelectrical workshop and ask them to replace the brushes and clean the slip rings. Cost about £20-30 max.
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Yep did mean brushes, light has been on and off this morning and it has developed a low/medium pitch whine which alters on revving the engine, also had the management light on and off along with the airbag light, I assume symptoms of the alternator problem?
Managed to do 22 miles this morning is it worth a call to the RAC to get it to the garage or just take a risk getting home?
Thanks
Ellis
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I would get it checked out, quickly, it may be developing an internal electrical fault and going over-voltage or the regulator developing a fault. If left it may do expensive damage to the electronics.
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I noticed this morning that the battery light was glowing as normal but it went very bright for 10 secs before going out for a few miles, I thought it might have popped the bulb, but it came on again later.
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Get another alternator. As others have already mentioned, it's overcharging and could cause damage to many components. Simply changing the brushes *might* not cure the problem.
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Get another alternator. As others have already mentioned, it's overcharging and could cause damage to many components. Simply changing the brushes *might* not cure the problem.
Granted but it is cheap, and easy to replace bushes as a DIY and when you take the old ones out you can see how worn they are... if they are not worn out then think about getting a recon unit.
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depends how much your own time is worth i guess
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Is it a diesel or petrol?
I know the diesel cavaliers of this vintage have the alternator and power steering pump in one unit.
A mate of mine had this problem and the alternator eventually overcooked itself, needing a pretty expensive repair, £200 for the alternator/pump alone IIRC.
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