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        General >> Give/Need advice to/from others >> Alternator fault ?
        
(Message started by: jonnycab on Dec 8^th, 2006, 3:21am)

Title: Alternator fault ?
Post by jonnycab on Dec 8^th, 2006, 3:21am

Have had a problem recently with non-starting, due to a flat battery.
Battery is a 9 month old, 610 amp, calsium battery.

Had the battery tested & it is apparently fine.

Checked the dash readout at tickover & it ranges between 13 & 13.2 volts........thought it was supposed to be 14.4 volts.

Dash readout when engine off & sidelights on says 11.80 volts.

Does anyone reckon my alternator is on it's way out ?

Title: Re: Alternator fault ?
Post by Simmo on Dec 8^th, 2006, 7:09am

J/C, This (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/battery.htm) article on battery replacement indicates that the minimum CCA is 650 and with higher specs a higher figure is preferable. Higher spec obviously relates to amount of current used and as yours is an Ultima plus it has,no doubt, additional electrical items for your job I would suggest that the battery is struggling to cope. :)

Title: Re: Alternator fault ?
Post by Highlander on Dec 8^th, 2006, 11:19am

Yep, a higher rated battery is recommended but the dash readout is low too, possibly the alternator right enough
mine reads higher than that, usually around the 13.5 - 13. 8 mark

Title: Re: Alternator fault ?
Post by TiberiuS on Dec 8^th, 2006, 6:38pm

May be worth putting a multimeter on the battery to check the voltage, mine reads a bit low in the cab but it's really at 14.2.

I'm sure the battery on my 2.3 is a 680 amp, I'll check for you ;)

Regards, Bruce.

Title: Re: Alternator fault ?
Post by jonnycab on Dec 30^th, 2006, 1:21am

Just bought a second hand alternator from Spikies Scorpios (they seem genuinely nice & helpful guys)

Car is running fine again with no battery problems.

My only slight concern is that the battery readout on the dash diagnostic is saying 14.6 volts with nothing electrical switched on.
But when lights, radio, heater etc are all turned on, the voltage doesn't drop below 14.2.

The muti-meter readings from the battery say the same.

The battery doesn't seem to be getting hot (over-charging).

Am I being paranoid.........or is there a chance that it could start over loading (cooking) the battery? :-/

Title: Re: Alternator fault ?
Post by harry.m1byt on Dec 30^th, 2006, 7:57pm

on 12/30/06 at 01:21:15, jonnycab wrote:

My only slight concern is that the battery readout on the dash diagnostic is saying 14.6 volts with nothing electrical switched on.
But when lights, radio, heater etc are all turned on, the voltage doesn't drop below 14.2.

The battery doesn't seem to be getting hot (over-charging).

It is usual for the alternator to initially put out a slightly higher voltage to recharge the battery after a start and until the battery is fully replenished. Check the voltage after things have settled down again, following a good run - it should settle down to 13.8 to 14.0v.

A lead acid battery needs to be charged at around 14.4v in order for it to reach a 100% charge level. Once that 100% point is achieved the maintenance charge voltage is 13.8v. Some of the more intelligent battery chargers are able to do this two stage process.

Title: Re: Alternator fault ?
Post by jonnycab on Dec 31^st, 2006, 12:40am

Cheers Harry :)