Car Alternator

Trust|Nobody said:
I searched the manual.
Couldn't find anything about earth or ground locations.
Click to expand...
The Owners manual or the service manual?
You need to look around Google for the service manual or Google image search "your vehicle model + earth points".
 
[video=youtube;yDEmMjFUZ9E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDEmMjFUZ9E[/video]
 
[video=youtube;LXVA6P6Ejk0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXVA6P6Ejk0[/video]
 
IMG_20180407_181943_514.jpg

This is what the manual says it should look like?
This is on page 238.

They don't look the same to me.
 
Last edited:
Fuse box lid should have a diagram explaining what they do?

But I seriously doubt that's your issue.

Nevertheless an easy way to check is pull every fuse out, one by one, reinsert the first fuse before pulling another to prevent confusion. Hold the fuse up to a bright light and check that its not blown, do that with every fuse and if one is blown replace it with the same value as indicated on the blown fuse.
 
It seems the new alternator is not working either.

The voltage across the battery terminals (as well as alternator) goes from 11.5 V before startup (jumper battery connected) to 9.5 V after startup.
The alternator provides absolutely nothing.
I can't believe the new alternator is not working either. Could it be a problem somewhere else that's causing this?

I'm going to take the Bosch alternator to an auto electrician tomorrow to have it repaired.
 
Trust|Nobody said:
It seems the new alternator is not working either.

The voltage across the battery terminals (as well as alternator) goes from 11.5 V before startup (jumper battery connected) to 9.5 V after startup.
The alternator provides absolutely nothing.
I can't believe the new alternator is not working either. Could it be a problem somewhere else that's causing this?

I'm going to take the Bosch alternator to an auto electrician tomorrow to have it repaired.
Click to expand...

You are doing something horribly wrong.

If the voltage over the battery is reading as low as 9.5v its close to being toast and in that state there'll be a huge draw on the alternator. To accurately test the alternator output the battery should be fully charged before you do so. Borrow a battery charger or buy one and first charge the battery then check the alternator output again.

And on some alternators you blow the regulators if you run without a battery connected so that may have occurred when you tried the let's disconnect the battery whilst the car is running exercise.
 
airborne said:
If the voltage over the battery is reading as low as 9.5v its close to being toast and in that state there'll be a huge draw on the alternator.
Click to expand...

But a jumper car battery is connected to my battery via jumper cables at this time. So is that not equivalent to the jumper car battery as my own battery?

airborne said:
To accurately test the alternator output the battery should be fully charged before you do so. Borrow a battery charger or buy one and first charge the battery then check the alternator output again.
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This I will do.
 
Trust|Nobody said:
But a jumper car battery is connected to my battery via jumper cables at this time. So is that not equivalent to the jumper car battery as my own battery?



This I will do.
Click to expand...

No, the minute you connect your flat battery to a charged battery via jumpers it will try equalise the charge between the two and hence the voltage will drop to compensate for your flat batteries low voltage.

That's why having a battery charger is so handy, even if you only use it once a year, you can charge your battery up and if you are having other issues you can at least ensure the battery charge is not one of them nor is its charge influencing anything else. Like if your cars battling to start but is fine after fully charging the battery then you know its not the starter that's the problem or vs versa.
 
airborne said:
You are doing something horribly wrong.

If the voltage over the battery is reading as low as 9.5v its close to being toast and in that state there'll be a huge draw on the alternator. To accurately test the alternator output the battery should be fully charged before you do so. Borrow a battery charger or buy one and first charge the battery then check the alternator output again.

And on some alternators you blow the regulators if you run without a battery connected so that may have occurred when you tried the let's disconnect the battery whilst the car is running exercise.
Click to expand...

Wot he said.
 
airborne said:
No, the minute you connect your flat battery to a charged battery via jumpers it will try equalise the charge between the two and hence the voltage will drop to compensate for your flat batteries low voltage.

That's why having a battery charger is so handy, even if you only use it once a year, you can charge your battery up and if you are having other issues you can at least ensure the battery charge is not one of them nor is its charge influencing anything else. Like if your cars battling to start but is fine after fully charging the battery then you know its not the starter that's the problem or vs versa.
Click to expand...

My battery is only a week old, but it's voltage is now only 3V.
Will the charger be able to bring it back up to 12 V?

I'm trying to get Outsurance Roadside Assistance to tow my vehicle. Do they also offer a free car rental? My car will be out of action for some time.
 
Trust|Nobody said:
My battery is only a week old, but it's voltage is now only 3V.
Will the charger be able to bring it back up to 12 V?

I'm trying to get Outsurance Roadside Assistance to tow my vehicle. Do they also offer a free car rental? My car will be out of action for some time.
Click to expand...
Was the battery changed before all this started?
 
Akirky said:
My guess is that the new battery is faulty.
Click to expand...

I don't think so.
When we were changing the battery the technician said it's not the battery it's the alternator.
But I wanted a new battery because I knew the old battery was low.
 
This thread illustrates why sometimes it's best to leave some jobs to those who know what they're doing.
 
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