Battery light on dash lit up. Alternator Stuffed?

[mike_nofx]

In the past the battery warning light on the dash (along with the (!) light) has come on every now and then, like once a month or just after a creek crossing, usually just for 20-30 seconds it will stay lit up, then just go off.

But just yesterday the light come on, and has stayed on ever since. The alternator is not charging the battery, confirmed with multimeter.

Im guessing the alternator is stuffed, but is there any other checks i can do to be certain?
Is there any problem with driving with a non-working alternator, temporarily? I drive 10mins each way to work

If it is stuffed, i'll probably just go the EL Falcon conversion. Just about to check the bible now for info! Also, will fitting the falcon alternator allow me to run a winch?

Thanks
Mike

[GRPABT1]

I had the same thing recently. I got a new alternator which turned out to be a dud and is getting rebuilt atm. I gave the old one a good clean with contact cleaner and chucked it back in for the mean time and it's been sweet for a week hahaha.

[Adsport]

the easiest way to tell is to have the motor running and take the battery earth off the post. if the engine stops or has any complaints then the alternator is busted.

the only thing you will harm by driving with no alternator charge is the battery, as the engine and chassis electrics will be relying on the battery reserve alone. i would suggest maybe putting the battery on charge overnight if you have to drive it to work.

[zook4fun]

there is a wire coming from the back of the alt with a connector on it ( white if i remember right) check to see it the clip has come a part or is loose.

same thing happened to me, wire on the clip had broke so alt was not working. i swapped out 2 different alt's before i found the problem. clip looked fine.

[monkeyplex]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I just had my vit serviced, and the battery light has come on and stays on. However I've drive nigh on 200 klicks with it like that, stereo lights, everything seems fine. Does the battery light indicate any other problems apart from alternator not charging? Could it be the battery itself?

[BenT]

But just yesterday the light come on, and has stayed on ever since. The alternator is not charging the battery, confirmed with multimeter.

Probably just your brushes in the alt are worn out. They are really easy to change and cost about $10.

Just take the alt out, remove the sheet metal cover from the back, and you'll see the brushes in a little brown plastic unit.

Ben

[mike_nofx]

I checked the brushes, they look fine, still plenty of meat left.

Another check i have done now is disconnect the charge wire on the alternator, i then conected up a multimeter and at idle it read around 1 volt, and at 4000rpm it read around 5 volts.

Would this be a stuffed regulator? and if so, would be able to source a new one from an auto parts shop?

Also, i have noticed that i get a bit of a flat spot when accelerating quickly, could this be related to the alternator not working? Like a weaker spark? i have only noticed the flat spot since alternator stopped working.

Thanks
Mike

[bazooked]

yes, u betta fix it before u end up with a stuffd battery

[mike_nofx]

yes, u betta fix it before u end up with a stuffd battery

Yes what, yes its the regulator?

I've been charging the battery every 2 days. It only gets started maximum 6 times between charges, maximum 45 mins engine running time and no lights, stereo or other electrics running (only blinkers and brakelights) The voltage never falls below about 12.5 on the battery even after the 2 days. so battery should be ok??