Altenator Problems!):

BradZ · 15-05-2010, 12:02 AM

I have had a lot of trouble finding a working altenator for my Escort, but i got a new one sent to me. Unfortnatly it is a Lucas altenator and surely enough it's lived up to its reputation by not working. It was off a 1600 Kent block, i put it on my 2ltr Pinto. It was wired up profesionally. Problems are as follow.

Car off, battery at 12.5
Car running, battery 12.1 and holding
Car running with spotlights on, 12.4 and holding.

Anyone have any ideas??
I am beginning to think it may not be the altenator itself, as ive had another 3 ones tested in it and none of them worked.

**aussiblue** · 15-05-2010, 02:03 AM

Has it an internal or external regulator? Either way this is where I would start looking. At what revs are you testing the voltage output? At idle ? - if so is the idle speed too low?

**aussiblue** · 15-05-2010, 01:19 PM

You may also have a faulty battery.

**aussiblue** · 15-05-2010, 01:32 PM

Does the voltage increase if you rev the engine more while the lights are off? If so and the voltage increases to around 14 or 14.5 volts there is nothing wrong with either the battery or alternator but you may want to check your fast (choke on) and slow idle speed are set correctly.

Have you a second car with which you can temporarily swap batteries so you can isolate it to a battery or regulator issue?

BradZ · 18-05-2010, 11:25 PM

Tested that before, anything under 3k revs and nothing. Apart from that it sits on 13.5 but once the ignition is turned off the car wont stop. Untill i flick the lights on. Hmm!!
Car has no choke.