Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Lazydocker on 19 August 2016, 19:35:19
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Here it is guys... Away on holibobs in SW Wales and driving back to the site today the battery light flickered on a couple of times then stayed on whenever on overrun or light throttle but bury it and it went out.
Then suddenly there was a loss of power (because it went into limp) and electrical systems started shutting down. Pulled over, switched off and restarted fine but a light glow from the battery light. Sure enough, 11.2V but constant no matter what electrical load is put on. Drove the 25 minutes back to the site with no battery light but within the last 2 miles the electrical systems started shutting down. Limped to our pitch, parked up, switched off and (as expected) the battery was flat.
Left it for a while and tested the connections as best I can with (very) limited tools I have here and the battery recovered sufficiently to start the car but, again, only 11.5V whatever electrical load is applied.
So.... Is there a charging relay or a fuse that is worth checking? As this all happened suddenly with no warning.
I'm sure I know the answer but remember a Cavalier I had in the past with similar symptoms and it was a charging relay.
Failing that... Anyone in Pembrokeshire with tools and a spare alternator?
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Sounds like the rectifier on the alternator is furbed to me.
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Sounds like the rectifier on the alternator is furbed to me.
Yeah... My thoughts too... Although, IME, that tends to overcharge, not under :-\
Not overly helpful on a campsite in Wales though! ::)
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I had something along those lines when I was in Ireland with my old 2.5gls the aux coolant pump had seized and blew a fuse think it was a 20a one iirc, it gave all the symptoms of a alternator gone, oh if it is that fuse that has blown unplug the pump before putting a new fuse in otherwise they can smoke a lot lol.
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http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALT102-ALTERNATOR-OPEL-SAAB-VAUXHALL-/201306551183?hash=item2edece338f%3Ag%3A1boAAOSwPhdVAesq&_trkparms=pageci%253A2b49a5bd-665c-11e6-b7d9-74dbd1803c83%257Cparentrq%253Aa4eae65a1560a358977cc272ffff2214%257Ciid%253A2 :y
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I had something along those lines when I was in Ireland with my old 2.5gls the aux coolant pump had seized and blew a fuse think it was a 20a one iirc, it gave all the symptoms of a alternator gone, oh if it is that fuse that has blown unplug the pump before putting a new fuse in otherwise they can smoke a lot lol.
Thanks. Will check.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALT102-ALTERNATOR-OPEL-SAAB-VAUXHALL-/201306551183?hash=item2edece338f%3Ag%3A1boAAOSwPhdVAesq&_trkparms=pageci%253A2b49a5bd-665c-11e6-b7d9-74dbd1803c83%257Cparentrq%253Aa4eae65a1560a358977cc272ffff2214%257Ciid%253A2 :y
Ooh... I wonder if they will do a 24 hour courier option to a campsite in Wales ::)
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Local. Ecp?
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Local. Ecp?
ECP want more than double that :o
Part of my problem is that I don't have many tools here and also that I have a whole spare car sat at home!! Currently looking into options which include a late night recovery ::)
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Is it something about being on holiday I was away with the caravan last year and had the same problem. Charging light was going out but battery flat. Recovery company took me to a garage who after 4 hrs said they could not get the right alternator.Ended up with a late night recovery home and a charge from the garage for removing the alternator.Sorry for all that but a new alternator solved the problem., When the faulty alternator was checked when I first got the problem the output voltage was around 12 volts. Changing alternator without many tools could ruin your holiday.
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A further thought the garage that fitted my alternator suggested disconnecting the plug that feeds the caravan 12 volts to prevent overloading the alternator whilst towing, Is this nonsense.
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A further thought the garage that fitted my alternator suggested disconnecting the plug that feeds the caravan 12 volts to prevent overloading the alternator whilst towing, Is this nonsense.
Yes....i'd suggest it is. You cannot overload an alternator, imo. If you are loading the alternator with more than it can supply, then the extra load is taken from the battery....simples ;)
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A further thought the garage that fitted my alternator suggested disconnecting the plug that feeds the caravan 12 volts to prevent overloading the alternator whilst towing, Is this nonsense.
Yes and no... Makes no difference with a healthy alternator but a flagging one could benefit from reduced draw.
Is it something about being on holiday I was away with the caravan last year and had the same problem. Charging light was going out but battery flat. Recovery company took me to a garage who after 4 hrs said they could not get the right alternator.Ended up with a late night recovery home and a charge from the garage for removing the alternator.Sorry for all that but a new alternator solved the problem., When the faulty alternator was checked when I first got the problem the output voltage was around 12 volts. Changing alternator without many tools could ruin your holiday.
I'm not towing as it is a family member's tourer on a seasonal pitch. But, thankfully, the people on site are great and it looks like between them and what I've got I can get sufficient tools together. It's not too bad a job when you know what you're doing... I think the master does it in about an hour :o
Of course, that's without the LPG Gubbins in the way ::)
Someone remind me... Does it wiggle out through the bottom or the top?
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I concur with TD. Alternators have their output voltage controlled by a Regulator (THAT is the part that fails, mostly) but the current is automatically limited by design so no need to disconnect your tin tent! Think about it: if your battery is dead flat and you jump start the engine, there is a massive short-circuit provided by the flat battery, yet the alternator copes very well.
Ron.
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A further thought the garage that fitted my alternator suggested disconnecting the plug that feeds the caravan 12 volts to prevent overloading the alternator whilst towing, Is this nonsense.
Yes and no... Makes no difference with a healthy alternator but a flagging one could benefit from reduced draw.
Is it something about being on holiday I was away with the caravan last year and had the same problem. Charging light was going out but battery flat. Recovery company took me to a garage who after 4 hrs said they could not get the right alternator.Ended up with a late night recovery home and a charge from the garage for removing the alternator.Sorry for all that but a new alternator solved the problem., When the faulty alternator was checked when I first got the problem the output voltage was around 12 volts. Changing alternator without many tools could ruin your holiday.
I'm not towing as it is a family member's tourer on a seasonal pitch. But, thankfully, the people on site are great and it looks like between them and what I've got I can get sufficient tools together. It's not too bad a job when you know what you're doing... I think the master does it in about an hour :o
Of course, that's without the LPG Gubbins in the way ::)
Someone remind me... Does it wiggle out through the bottom or the top?
I cant help you with that I'm afraid..but if you carnt change it...id be surprised if you could fully charge your battery before the return journey, that you couldn't make it home without an alternator fully working.....IF you turn off everything electrical.....ie aircon off/radio off/don't keep playing with the windows/etc , you get the drift....
If you stop for a break.....leave the engine running and take it in turns to go for a pitstop, but make the pitstop quick as you can...
Ive known vehicles, including mine, go for 100's of miles (altho not that far for mine) before the engine died due to flat battery :y
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EssexBigAl very kindly came to me and changed my alternator on the roadside and it wasn't too bad a job for a man of his skills; as I recall it squeezed out downwards with very little swearing! PLEASE use ramps or axle stands if you can even in a welsh field - the extra space underneath will obviously help a lot.
Ron.
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I took the bagpipes out and the alternator came out through the front when the regulator failed on mine a couple of years back.
Symptoms were exactly the same as described (lots of warning lights and loss of PAS). I think some of the heavier electrical loads are only switched on when there is a confirmation from the alternator that it is charging OK. Not sure why that would mess with the PAS :-\ maybe because the ABS ECU is piggy backed on the ABS pump and the ABS pump is a heavy electrical load :-\
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if you do swap the alternator in a Welsh field then lay a sheet under the engine bay before you start to catch the nuts and washers when you drop them.......
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TD - Not a chance of getting home... 370 odd miles even in daylight would be too much, never mind with a toddler!
Decision has been made that I'm going to try and get one from the company Dr Gollum linked to, assuming they can dispatch it on Monday.
The LPG stuff on the inner wing might make it a bit trickier to do but other than that it will be fine. Fortunately we now know a few of the residents on the site and they have offered tools (mainly Jack and stands) so I can change it. There's hard standing that I can work on so not too bad really, if the weather improves!!
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I couldn't see any way of taking it out from below, the chassis rail is too close to the sump, so no need for axle stands.
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I couldn't see any way of taking it out from below, the chassis rail is too close to the sump, so no need for axle stands.
Mine's lowered on Irmscher springs plus has a load of LPG stuff on the inner wing... I'll need to get under to get access to the bolts I expect ;)
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Anyone got the numbers or a link for the regulator pack? Master is looking in the morning but worth asking anyway... He's suggested just repairing it :y
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Sure kevin wood put this link up once...but check first
http://www.woodauto.com/Component.aspx?Ref=VRG46418
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Anyone got the numbers or a link for the regulator pack? Master is looking in the morning but worth asking anyway... He's suggested just repairing it :y
Which year/engine/alternator do you have?
Apologies if you have already said somewhere but it would be easier if it was on your profile.
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Anyone got the numbers or a link for the regulator pack? Master is looking in the morning but worth asking anyway... He's suggested just repairing it :y
Which year/engine/alternator do you have?
Apologies if you have already said somewhere but it would be easier if it was on your profile.
It was but some bullying admin messed with it!
I forget that not everyone knows now... It's a 2003 3.2.
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Anyone got the numbers or a link for the regulator pack? Master is looking in the morning but worth asking anyway... He's suggested just repairing it :y
RobG gave me this link in reply No.11. I phoned the guy and he was very helpful. I placed my order at lunchtime on a Monday and the part arrived lunchtime Tuesday so I was well pleased. You would have to explain about the delivery address for the site though, if they agreed to send it that way.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=135793.msg1741891#msg1741891
I took mine out through the top as I couldn't fit it out through the bottom, for the same reason as Andy has said. :y
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Can anyone confirm whether there is a need to get underneath or can all fixings be reached from above? I know the bagpipes need to come out to make room and I think the cable tray needs slackening too, or have I imagined that?
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Had a quick feel about now I've removed the bagpipes and I think I can do it without going underneath or even disturbing the LPG stuff (fingers crossed!). Can someone confirm whether it is 2 or 3 bolts that hold the alternator on please? Only working on feel but it seems to be 2 but I thought it was 3.
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Two... Lower one has a nut on the back...
Access improves with header tank moved to one side. :y
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Two... Lower one has a nut on the back...
Access improves with header tank moved to one side. :y
Cheers. Access seems ok but the LPG stuff is a touch inconvenient!!
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TD - Not a chance of getting home... 370 odd miles even in daylight would be too much, never mind with a toddler!
That's further than I thought it was ::)
I know someone who managed Manchester to Swindon with no alternator, buts that's about 1/2 the distance .....and id agree you wouldn't make it all the way.
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Had a quick feel about now I've removed the bagpipes and I think I can do it without going underneath or even disturbing the LPG stuff (fingers crossed!). Can someone confirm whether it is 2 or 3 bolts that hold the alternator on please? Only working on feel but it seems to be 2 but I thought it was 3.
No need to get underneath. There's not enough room to get up there.
Move the expansion tank aside and the rear bolts you can just about get to by reaching round the back (stop sniggering at the back) ;D. A socket on an extension is handy here. Alternator will slide out forwards after removing the intake duct, then take off the electrical connections.
As said on the other thread, I have a spare regulator I can put in the post if you have any trouble.
The part you need is a Bosch BR14-T3 Part no. F00M 145 257.
IIRC, it's secured by a couple of torx screws.
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Had a quick feel about now I've removed the bagpipes and I think I can do it without going underneath or even disturbing the LPG stuff (fingers crossed!). Can someone confirm whether it is 2 or 3 bolts that hold the alternator on please? Only working on feel but it seems to be 2 but I thought it was 3.
No need to get underneath. There's not enough room to get up there.
Move the expansion tank aside and the rear bolts you can just about get to by reaching round the back (stop sniggering at the back) ;D. A socket on an extension is handy here. Alternator will slide out forwards after removing the intake duct, then take off the electrical connections.
As said on the other thread, I have a spare regulator I can put in the post if you have any trouble.
The part you need is a Bosch BR14-T3 Part no. F00M 145 257.
IIRC, it's secured by a couple of torx screws.
Has your number changed? I'll try to source a new one tomorrow am but might need yours if I can't get one... Due to leave site here on Wednesday so all a bit tight on time!
As for socket on extension... Got sockets but no extensions :'(
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Number is as it's always been. :y
Oh, and there are 2 bolts holding it on. Both are visible from the front of the alternator and are long bolts that run back through front and rear mounting lugs on the alternator and block. 15mm from memory, and there are 2 smaller bolts for the electrical connections.
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All fixed. Thanks to all who commented and extra special thanks to that DTM Fella who talked some sense into me and told me to repair the alternator myself instead of replacing it (as it was only the regulator) and Kevin Wood who offered me one he had in stock and took it to work in case I couldn't get one delivered today.
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This is a brilliant forum, with the help so freely offered. Well done to all. :y :y :y
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I agree completely, Shackeng; if it weren't for the excellent help I've received from here, my beloved Mig would be baked bean tins by now!
REon.
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A good result following what had the potential to be an expensive tow somewhere :y
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A good result following what had the potential to be an expensive tow somewhere :y
That DTM fella is a good egg but don't tell him that ::) ::) :y