Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[RichB]

Right after problems with my battery and having searched the forums I think I have a problem with my alternator to battery lead also.  The terminal was burning hot earlier and charging voltage would not go about 13.2 and 12.5ish fully loaded  

I have read about needing to re crimp the wire etc.  My question is which wire off the battery termial is the one from the alternator?  I would assume the really big thick one that is kind of built into the connector would be for the starter motor?  So will it be one of the smaller ones?  Also could the alternator cable be relaced with some 4gauge power cable used for cause audio etc?  Also how hard or easy is it to change the cable?  I have only really got tomorrow and Monday morning at a push to get this sorted and currently have no parts


Also where is the best place to get new bonnet struts from as I don't dare work under the bonnet as it keeps dropping down on me  



Cheers,

Richard

[Steve1077]

I think I have the same problem, my + cable gets fairy hot and I only get about 12.8v charge, I had the alternator changed last year but that didn’t fix the problem, maybe I should fit a new terminal before I boil the battery

[Marks DTM Calib]

The positive lead is about 30 quid new.

Or get it re-crimped by somebody with the right tool.

[RichB]

The positive lead is about 30 quid new.

Or get it re-crimped by somebody with the right tool.

Does the lead come pre crimped from Vauxhall then?  We probably have the kit here to re crimp it, but surely that depends how much you need to cut back?  Which lead is it, was I right in saying the big thick one was for the starter or is that for alternator?  None of the other leads look big enough for the starter.

[Kevin Wood]

Another option that might get you out of trouble is to get a new bettery terminal with a screw terminal, trim the wire back and re-make the connection on an undamaged bit of the wire.

The thick wire that heads off across to the driver's side of the engine connects to both the starter and alternator.

Kevin

[RichB]

Another option that might get you out of trouble is to get a new bettery terminal with a screw terminal, trim the wire back and re-make the connection on an undamaged bit of the wire.

The thick wire that heads off across to the driver's side of the engine connects to both the starter and alternator.

Kevin

Thanks, I did wonder about that!  Well I guess I could change terminals, maybe I will see what sort of stuff they have got in Halfords, probs cost more for a new terminal than the lead from a dealer!  So to repair is as it is, I need to strip back the big thick lead and re-crimp it onto the battery terminal?  How much spare cable is there?  Doesnt look like there is much, will have a better look in the light tomorrow.

Cheers,

Richard

[Kevin Wood]

There doesn't appear to be much slack. Might be a good idea to release it from the cable tray and see if you can liberate a bit of length from the other end. Might need to unbundle it from the rest of the cables in the tray though.

Also depends how bad the wire is at the terminal end. It can get a bit manky if it's overheated.

Kevin

[RichB]

Well just started having a look and it seems the earth lead gets warm before the positive....  Also having taken the undertray off the positive coming off the alternator looks a bit orange, so my plan is to take that off and clean it up and see if it makes it any better, looks a pain to get on and off though, also does the negative from the battery go back to the alternator too?  Cant see this one on the back of the alternator but will have a closer look.  The positive going into the battery connect "seems" to be ok, no damage or discolouring, shall i strip it back a bit and see what the cable looks like inside?


Cheers,

Richard

[dbug]

Right after problems with my battery and having searched the forums I think I have a problem with my alternator to battery lead also.  The terminal was burning hot earlier and charging voltage would not go about 13.2 and 12.5ish fully loaded  

I have read about needing to re crimp the wire etc.  My question is which wire off the battery termial is the one from the alternator?  I would assume the really big thick one that is kind of built into the connector would be for the starter motor?  So will it be one of the smaller ones?  Also could the alternator cable be relaced with some 4gauge power cable used for cause audio etc?  Also how hard or easy is it to change the cable?  I have only really got tomorrow and Monday morning at a push to get this sorted and currently have no parts


Also where is the best place to get new bonnet struts from as I don't dare work under the bonnet as it keeps dropping down on me  



Cheers,

Richard

Try ebay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-BONNET-STRUTS-X2_W0QQitemZ380011352606QQihZ025QQcategoryZ10404QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I bought some off this ebayer - arrived fast & well pleased with them.
5 min job to fit.

Tell them u r OOF member - may give discount.

[RichB]

OK guys I am now in need of some serious help  I have just taken the car for a spin and got back and now this has happened....








It has taken the edge off the belt but it seems like the tensioner has failed....  I hope this is an easy fix as I need the car for work on Tuesday and have no other transport    Can anyone give me some advice on what to do next?  And if anyone local to me (South Notts)  with parts I could buy off you I can come and collect anytime.


Cheers,

Richard

[Entwood]

If its just the tensioner pulley its a 5 minute job for that .. but the belt as well takes longer obviously.

The pulley on its own is part number 9157962 and is £23.05 retail or £20.75 with TC ( + VAT of course).

I did the pulley in a field last weekend ... but didn't have to do the belt ..

There's a thread somewhere that tells you how to do the belt as well .. involves undoing a few more bits to gain access if memeory serves ..

[RichB]

Shall I take the pulley off and see whats happening beihind it?  I am a bit scared because of alll the black gooey stuff that is behind it, what is all that stuff?

[Entwood]

Yes, I would take the pully off its a 2 minute job. then you can see what is going on.. it might be you need to replace the whole tensioner unit, not just the pulley.

The gooey stuff is either the belt or maybe something's got caught behind the pulley ??

I would also be  taking off the old belt .. it needs replacing and it will save you time by learning how it comes off now .. rather than rushing once you get the bits ....

but thats just the way I do things ..

[RichB]

Right I took the pully off and it is well knackered.  It hardly moves at all and the tensioner doesnt move at all, so I guess thats knackered too.  It shows in the Haynes manual that it should move to tension the belt but it doesnt budge!  So I will be off to Vauxhall tomorrow to see if they have got these parts in stock, I hope so!

Any tips on replacing the tensioner?  I assume you just have to take out the 2 bolts going into the block from the drivers side as shown in the second pic?

Some pics of the damage...

[MutantCav]

I can get you 2 bonnet struts for £15 delivered no problem, or a bit cheaper if you collect them while getting a tensioner?? From south Notts about an hour to Gainsborough...can do you the tensioner belt and pulley for £20 all in again if you can collect