Alternator issues

[Goatse.AJ]

Ok, so I've finally discovered why I keep going through alternators every 6-12 months. (I think).

Daihatsu Feroza's have the alt buried way down under the power steering pump (i.e. a shit of a location to do a quick swap). Now it seems I have a slooow leak of PS fluid, which is dripping straight onto the alt.

The problem I'm experiencing is that the volts suddenly go WAAAY high (not sure of exact figures, as I can't find any of my meters since moving house recently, but it's enough to blow driving light globes). This voltage excursion may last from a quick "flash", up to 30 seconds.

I've previously just swapped in a new (2nd hand) alt, but have now had the time to pull one of the old ones apart and, as I thought, the regulator is full of crap. My theory is that the PS fluid is causing a short across the pins of the reg, resulting in the voltage excursions.

I'm hoping that now I've cleaned this unit, she should run OK, but thought I'd check here before swapping it into the vehicle if the reg is likely to have suffered terminal damage from the PS fluid, as it's such a major PITA to swap.... Have to remove radiator shroud, bottom hose, power steering, etc.

Alternator is a DENSO unit. Reg is a 126000-0411.

[chimpboy]

My guess is that the crud itself is your problem.

Have you looked at relocating it to a high position as well. On my Isuzu MU (going back a long way here), I was able to remove an air pump (emissions thing) and put a camry alternator in its place, then ditch the low-mounted isuzu alt. Obviously more work but much more sensible on a 4WD to have the alternator up high.

[Goatse.AJ]

Just an update. Pulled the alternator on the weekend and found the reg to be buried in crap. Gave her a good clean up and all seems to be good again