Hi John,
Most likely it's not the brushes, but the diode pack. I'm not sure how to
actually
take it apart. Have you considered a GM conversion?? The rebuilt lucas
alternators
sometimes have problems. Try looking up:
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/alternator/conversions.html
Let me know what you think.
Bob
75,76,80 Spits
80 Fiat Spider FI
88 Fiero
John Hobson wrote:
> I was thinking of taking a look inside the old one, what's the best way
> to get the bolt off the end as it's on a spinning column. Is it ok to
> jam a screw in the fan bit to stop it from turning? Will it be obvious
> if the brushes are worn?
>
> cheers,
> John
>
> --- "T. .R. Dafforn" <td214@cam.ac.uk> wrote: > Just out of interest, did
> you have a look inside the old alternator?
> > Its worth looking at the brushes, often they wear away leaving you with
> > a
> > malfunctioning alternator.
> > Replacing them is easy (10mins) and they cost a couple of quid. Mgiht
> > leave
> > you with a spare alternator.
> > cheers
> > Tim
> > John Hobson wrote:
> >
> > > You remember that battery warning light that was flickering last
> > week?
> > > Well it wasn't just being a bit odd, it was trying to tell me that my
> > > alternator was on it's way out! Coming back from work on Friday,
> > first
> > > radio cuts out, then dash lights dim, and then car seriously loses
> > power
> > > and then nothing, about 2 miles from home.
> > >
> > > Anyhow I managed to pick up an alternator from Spitfire Graveyard for
> > #10
> > > and fitted it yesterday. Seems to work ok, got me to work this
> > morning
> > > (although to be on the safe side, no music, heating or lights). At
> > work
> > > I checked the battery level with a hydrometer, which showed that the
> > > levels are about the same as they were at the beginning of the
> > journey
> > > (about 1/2 an hour journey time). The hydrometer does seem to show
> > > different levels though depending on how much of the acid is sucked
> > into
> > > it. Anyway should I have expected a significant charge increase over
> > > this journey? Is there any other way that I can check the charge?
> > Am I
> > > using the hydrometer correctly (it's a halfords own-brand one). The
> > red
> > > dash light doesn't glow any more, which is a good sign, although
> > going on
> > > recent experiences I don't trust just that.
> > >
> > > cheers
> > > John & Saskia
> > >
> > > ____________________________________________________________
> >
> > --
> > Tim Dafforn
> > Structural Medicine
> > Department of Haematology
> > CIMR
> > University of Cambridge
> > Wellcome-MRC Building (Level6)
> > Hills Road
> > Cambridge
> > CB2 2XY
> >
> > Tel. (01223) 336829
> > Fax. (01223) 336827
> > http://smokeroom.cimr.cam.ac.uk/
> >
> >
> >
>
> ____________________________________________________________
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