dalamb
Member Since: 01 Dec 2011
Location: Axminster
Posts: 1
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Very useful guide, thanks for taking the time to create it. Trying to track down a drain on the battery and noticed that there was a small current flowing in the alternator cable when the engine was switched off so used this guide to replace the alternator today.
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19th Feb 2020 6:05 pm |
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Hot Tub
Member Since: 15 Aug 2017
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 1071
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My lucky day all loaded with SWMBO son & two dogs start journey smells hot thought it was from being over keen cleaning under the bonnet. Then smoke inside everybody out bonnet open disconnect battery. Makes the heart race Somebody was looking out for us today It could have been so much worse got the car back guessing fitting new alternator Welsh Collie Chauffeur Service To Barney & Rooney.
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22nd May 2020 5:10 am |
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Andyschleckscat
Member Since: 03 Feb 2020
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 70
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Thanks for the thread, comments and tips etc
Just done mine this morning
A massive help
Cheers
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22nd May 2020 12:36 pm |
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Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 06 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4156
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A very useful guide and many thanks…. An additional word of warning for those completing this operation which may save you a world of pain… before extracting the faulty alternator from its location place a sheet of cardboard in front of the radiator…
I very slightly grazed my radiator when the alternator swung free from between the coolant pipes…or so I thought… unfortunately it was enough to catch it exactly in the wrong place and next thing I see a line of pink coolant bleeding out! Aaaaaarrrrggghhhh!
In fairness to me, on the G4’s you lose a good foot of clearance due to the front A bar and winch which means you have to lay down on the slam panel and engine to be able to reach down and extract it…
But be placing something in front of the radiator may save you a big chunk of money!
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16th Aug 2021 9:44 pm |
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shravanjk86
Member Since: 20 Jun 2019
Location: Düsseldorf
Posts: 51
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Limping home with busted alternator |
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I've had my alternator go as well now, whilst on Holiday and over 1800kms from Home no less !
The Battery light came on and was putting out 13.5V for 6 full days before dying (2 days of that parked).
I had one of those cheap voltmeter thingies on which I saw the voltage continously dropping down to single digits before it gave up the ghost and I pulled over safely into a bus stop before calling assistance.
Assistance was able to get another car and jump the Disco enough to put it into neutral and load it up the tow bed. Whilst unloading , jumping it was enough to start it and reverse it back down the ramp. I was quite surprised at that , even though it only lasted for 1 minute.
I am now having it shipped back to me via Insurance to a workshop near my place(2km away).
Do we think that a fully charged battery (on CTEK Mx-5 charger for instance) will suffice to limp it back home so that i can go about the replacement at my leisure ?
It's a 20mph zone all the way back home , so even though the distance is not much , there are 3 roundabouts and pedestrian zone ish speeds to be puttering along at.
Google says 5 min in a normally running car , even if it were to be double that due to some event (say following a cyclist), do we think I can risk it ?
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22nd Sep 2021 3:54 pm |
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Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 06 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4156
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Is it diesel or petrol?
If it’s a diesel then once the engine is started then there is very little drain on the battery other than lights , indicators etc.
If it’s petrol then you will have a constant drain supplying spark to the plugs…
I drove my one 20 miles to and 20 miles from the dealer with the alternator light on…and was lucky I did not damage the battery…
This is a likely occurrence if you continue to drive the vehicle which adds considerable more expense to your repair!
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22nd Sep 2021 4:51 pm |
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aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
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When my alternator went it had a dead short and nearly caught fire so be careful Andrew
D3 2.7tdv6 2005
D4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial died and gone to LR heaven
D5 3.0 SDV6 HSE
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22nd Sep 2021 5:18 pm |
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gasdisco
Member Since: 02 May 2017
Location: Angus
Posts: 63
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When my alternator failed last month the only indication was the battery light on starting and 11.9v showing on my volmeter. Moved back ont the drive and disconnected the battery but no sparks or hot cables.
After fitting new Denso alt. the IID showed "Alt field current high". Also found that old unit was a Lucas Reconditioned unit fitted 8 years ago so some non Denso units might be O.K. - or maybe I'm very lucky!! 01 Discovery2 V8 LPG - Resting
96 Discovery 300 V8 LPG - Resting
91 Discovery 200 TDI - Sold
71 Range Rover (Perkins 4.203) deceased
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22nd Sep 2021 6:29 pm |
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aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
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They may not all fail the same
my light came on as i started my engine about a mile from home, i drove straight home to pick up my other car but as i pulled up at my drive i had lots of smoke pouring out from under the bonnet.
I disconnected the battery and had quite a big spark, when i change the alternator the windings had got very hot and the rear cover had melted. Andrew
D3 2.7tdv6 2005
D4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial died and gone to LR heaven
D5 3.0 SDV6 HSE
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22nd Sep 2021 6:48 pm |
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galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
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do you need to reset the battery manager system ?
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22nd Sep 2021 11:06 pm |
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shravanjk86
Member Since: 20 Jun 2019
Location: Düsseldorf
Posts: 51
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Hi Thanks for the inputs,
The idea was just to check if I could chance it home, I have now decided to spend some dosh and get it on a recovery van once the vehicle is delivered to the garage.
My understanding of the fires has always been that it happens due to either a short or over voltage.
In my case it was constant undervoltage.
Do we know how the battery fails if the Alternator failure is due to low voltage ?
I'm contemplating re-using the same battery as I don't think that would have suffered anything other than a discharge. Will a battery health monitor suffice to take a call ? (Said battery is less than a year old)
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27th Sep 2021 11:58 am |
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Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10336
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If the alternator fails with a short, it drains and kills batteries very quickly, unless you disconnect it quickly.
Just under voltage isn't a big problem for the battery if in reasonable condition
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27th Sep 2021 6:26 pm |
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Farmer Chalk
Member Since: 06 Mar 2013
Location: Independent Republic of Kentishshire.
Posts: 4156
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After my alternator failed it was replaced and my battery was totally unaffected… sounds like I was lucky!
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27th Sep 2021 8:42 pm |
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Gio
Member Since: 24 Sep 2018
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 5
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All really good advices here, unless you have the V8.
Best way to change the alternator on the V8 is to remove the engine and cooler shields from underneath the car and access the alternator from there. You can also remove the plastic trim right next to the shield protecting the cooler and the ac compressor. Slacking the belt is still easier from the top, without removing the fan.
This video somewhat describes the process even though he does the slacking of the belt from underneath as well.
https://youtu.be/HZIFshA5nMg
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16th Sep 2022 9:47 pm |
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JerryPS
Member Since: 29 Dec 2022
Location: Hereford
Posts: 1
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Many thanks for the instructions. Just finished changing it over. The most difficult job was getting the belt on and off... Thanks.
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29th Dec 2022 4:33 pm |
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