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MPV Section - Forums for Multi Purpose Vehicles: => Ford Galaxy Forum - Mk1 / Mk2 inc. VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra (1995-2006) => Topic started by: maysani on October 14, 2020, 07:29:55 PM

Title: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: maysani on October 14, 2020, 07:29:55 PM
"alternator workshop" engine warning and battery red  light  have been  coming on for the last 2 weeks but not all the time, they come on every one and again not always. however, I have noticed that they only come on when there is a loud screeching noise come from the alternator belt, see below link. I initially thought that the belt tensioner is faulty and I replaced it with new one today but still the same. I also checked the alternator pully and it looks very solid, it rotates one way and dose not rotate the other way. any idea what it is?

https://youtu.be/kznt59G1wbA
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: johnnyroper on October 14, 2020, 10:39:15 PM
Check the crank pulley hasnââ,¬â,,¢t started to seperate and also spin the air con and pas pulleys to make sure they are nice and smooth.

I know you say happens when belt squeals but itââ,¬â,,¢s always worth checking the aux fuse box on battery when you get those alternator faults as the wiring can burn up.
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: maysani on October 15, 2020, 08:36:20 PM
checked all the crank  pulley, it is very sold, obviously I can not spin it. all other pulleys do spin smooth. also the wires in the aux box are in good shape no burning marks.
I managed  to take off the alternator this afternoon to check the brush but they look ok to me, they are about 8mm in length from the edge of the black plastic hosing , see attached.   I do not know where else to look. is it worth replacing the alternator to see if the problem goes?
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: brianh on October 15, 2020, 09:50:07 PM
The one thing you haven't mentioned checking is the idler pulley?

I'd give a try putting as much load as you can on the alternator (lights on heated screens on, fan on full etc) and see if the screetching returns, if you can make it do it like that you might be able to see better where the problem is?

Brushes look ok, though the only thing that can happen besides them getting too worn, is sticking in the holders, Given the alternator works most of the time, I'd think they are ok anyway.
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: johnnyroper on October 15, 2020, 10:28:00 PM
When engine is idling does the tensioner jump around or does it stay fairly steady at a constant tension?
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: maysani on October 15, 2020, 11:20:09 PM
what is the idler pulley. is it the one that at the end of the drive belt tensioner, if so then it is brand new
Quote from: johnnyroper on October 15, 2020, 10:28:00 PM
When engine is idling does the tensioner jump around or does it stay fairly steady at a constant tension?
no it is fairly  steady.
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: johnnyroper on October 16, 2020, 07:34:46 AM
Very odd fault then, have you replaced the belt aswell along with the tensioner?
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: Chrispb on October 16, 2020, 08:29:28 AM
Are you 100% sure about the alternator clutch pulley?
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: maysani on October 16, 2020, 10:54:38 AM
Quote from: Chrispb on October 16, 2020, 08:29:28 AM
Are you 100% sure about the alternator clutch pulley?
yes I did, it is new belt
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: maysani on October 16, 2020, 12:37:23 PM
the  alternator clutch pulley looks ok to me. runs smooth on one direction and does not in another
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: maysani on October 21, 2020, 02:01:34 PM
got new alternator today, brand new Forhrenbuhl FA5082 but it rotates anticlockwise which is normal but  does not rotate clockwise at all, it is stuck, is there any thing I need to take off to make it rotates before I fit it on the car.
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: johnnyroper on October 21, 2020, 03:45:10 PM
No sounds like the alternator is faulty
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: maysani on October 21, 2020, 04:58:31 PM
thanks that what I thought
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: Stevie t on October 21, 2020, 11:23:59 PM
I got a cracking refurb Bosh alternator with 12 month warranty for just over 100 quid,less half the price of ECP who incidentally wanted the old one back so I assume the one they supply was refub.Theres a link to the supplier in my alternator post a few weeks ago if it helps.
Title: Re: alternator workshop engine warning and battery red light
Post by: maysani on October 23, 2020, 09:31:10 PM
this just an update. the alternator was faulty. I returned the one that did not work and got a refurb one. replaced today and the car works as before.