Dead Alternator: Repair Or Replace, Alternative alternators

[Russell]

Hi Folks.

I rewired a source of 12V to the alternator: this worked fine for a while.
However. I went for a drive last night, and the lights seemed a bit dim, and checking when I got back home showed me the alternator has stopped charging, 11.5V while running.

This time I have definitely have battery voltage on the excitation coil. The pulley is rotating. Because of the intermittent way this is failing I'm wondering if the brushes have had it. Car has done circa 170k and I'm not sure if the alternator has ever been replaced.

Anyone know what other alternators may fit? Or if the brushes are easy to get hold of and replace. Seeing as I couldn't even adjust the belt tension easily, I think getting it out will be a complete piglet.

Oh well. Happy New Year!

cheers
Russell

[wirdy]

Intermittent...Brushes worn... 170K....

If you manage to get it out to replace the brushes, how much longer will the bearings or the diode pack last?

I'd fit a known good 'un or a recon one without hesistation.

Remember a new drive belt as well

[Peter.N.]

You can sometimes find cheap ones on ebay, otherwise I would go for a secondhand one.

Peter.N.

[Russell]

Can someone tell me ...

How much stuff do I have to shift to get the alternator out? Does it come out past the wheel arch and do I remove that, or do I part drain the cooling system and take the hose off which is well and truly in the way, but then I would expect the whole unit to lift up, if the securing bolts can be removed . I can see this taking a chunk of my Christmas holiday, and I would also need good weather.

Are there any pictures or exploded diagrams of the 2.1TD engine so I can see what I'm up against. I'm trying to decide whether to do it myself, and repair the alternator if possible or wait for a couple of weeks until I can get a friendly garage to get the alternator off for me, but they will need a secondhand unit or cheap recon to put in at the time. The car is worth very little, and tax and mot are due in a month or so, so if it is to last another year this repair has got to be cheap and fairly quick.

cheers
Russell

[Peter.N.]

Hi Russel

If I remember rightly the alternator is not to difficult to remove, its sometime since I took one off. According to Mr Haynes you have to unbolt the hydraulic pump and move it to one side, dont disconnect any pipes. You have of course to slacken or possibly remove the drive belt. The alternator is held in with a long pivot bolt which is thicker at one end, you only have to loosen the bolt so far and the alternator will slide off. Dont forget do disconnect the leads!

Peter.N.

[Russell]

Hi Folks,

I had the car in the garage today to get the alternator off so I could look at it. After looking at it, the chap (a Citroen expert) quoted me three hours labour just to remove it. He seemed to think the hydralic pump and air conditioning pump all needed to be removed before the alternator would come out. I drove the car away again.

Has anyone else taken an alternator off a 2.1 TD? Also, looking at the thing I would have thought removing the top radiator hose and the oil filter would give me more access though I still can't see the mounting bolt.

Anyway, unless I can find a way to get the thing off myself, the car will have to be scrapped. I can't believe it should be that difficult...

cheers
Russell

[noz]

Hi Russell,

I also don't believe it can be that difficult. Whereabouts in the country are you?

cheers

noz

[Russell]

Hi Noz,

I'm in Cambridge.

I've found a secondhand alternator for £46 about 15 miles away.
I'm tempted to put the car in for an mot, and see what it might cost me to get it through that, and take the decision on the alternator afterwards.

I might try ringing a few official Citreon dealers and get their opinion on how long the job should take as well!!

cheers
Russell