Fento
Member Since: 10 Dec 2014
Location: Gatehouse of Fleet
Posts: 30
  
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So after my alternator failed and took my battery out the as well at the beginning of December i purchased and fitted a new alternator and battery.
All was well until the wife came back this morning to say 'the battery light is on again!'.
After a quick check i have 12.5v at the battery but when charging i get the same and less so by the look of it the new alternator has failed. Anybody got any ideas of what and why or can point me in the right direction of anything ive missed
Thanks all
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 2nd Jan 2016 11:28 am |
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Sloss
Member Since: 18 Aug 2013
Location: Aberdeenish
Posts: 1691
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You should have redress from the Alternator supplier.
As has been frequently stated on here AfterMarket alternators do seem to fail much more that an OEM.
A proper Bummer especially at this time of year  Stew,
2010 D4 gone but I really loved it
Went back to Merc - C350 AMG
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| 2nd Jan 2016 11:32 am |
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Woolmeister
Member Since: 26 Mar 2007
Location: Chandler's Ford
Posts: 3459
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^^^ As above. Only ever fit Genuine/Denso alternators. Genuine are Denso but in a more expensive box.
This is what you need: http://www.advancedfactors.co.uk/yle500400...0-74-p.asp
Check the obvious like battery terminals are tight. You should be getting more than 12.5v when the engine is running, though. 
Steve 2021 BMW iX3 Premier Edition in Carbon Black ⚡️🔌
2019 Škoda Kodiaq 2.0 Tdi 190 DSG Sportline in Quartz Grey. Excellent vehicle. Gone.
2017 Discovery Sport HSE Auto in Carpathian Grey and Ebony Leather. Modern JLR Junk. Gone.
2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual in Zermatt Silver with Ebony Cloth (143k) Gone, but now patrolling the Asia section of the West Midlands Safari Park!
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| 2nd Jan 2016 11:40 am |
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Bri2398
Member Since: 27 Sep 2015
Location: Retford
Posts: 17
 
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Will you not be able to go back to the supplier of the alternator and get this sorted should not have failed already that's not right??
I've just had my alternator and battery changed I stuck with the denso and now the battery is kicking out 14.5v when running that's on the secret diagnostic menu.
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| 2nd Jan 2016 11:48 am |
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wobbley
Member Since: 15 Dec 2013
Location: essex
Posts: 133
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Not strictly true after market alternators that are cheap and not built correctly will not last. I have a remanufactured alternator from my local specialist and it's been trouble free. It's got a better diode pack on it. That's the common failure with the alternators.
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| 2nd Jan 2016 12:02 pm |
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Fento
Member Since: 10 Dec 2014
Location: Gatehouse of Fleet
Posts: 30
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it will be going back next week, i would have thought even though its not the dogs tezzas one it would have lasted over a month! I unfortunately needed to get my car back on the road at the time so got the best i could afford. Really gutted its been a bloomin nightmare
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| 2nd Jan 2016 12:21 pm |
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Fento
Member Since: 10 Dec 2014
Location: Gatehouse of Fleet
Posts: 30
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Quick update, I emailed the place I bought the alternator from an received this reply
.these are a computer controlled alternator and can shut themselves down through a number of vehicle faults to protect the internal alternator components from damage.
the first thing to eliminate is the battery ,as the alternator circuit uses a battery sensing function it will shut off the charge output if the battery is flat or faulty and drops below 12.2v ,this is the most common problem so the battery should be checked and charged in the first instance .
as the circuit is computer controlled it is generally outside diy testing or diagnosis without the correct apparatus so misdiagnosis is common.
if you still suspect the alternator please return to us for full computer testing ,if you doubt the battery condition or voltage please do not use the vehicle until charged or replaced as that can damage the regulator on the alternator .
Anyone got any ideas about this? The battery is brand new and in perfect working order as the last alternator fried the old one. I'm a little stumped to say the least
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| 3rd Jan 2016 4:44 pm |
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Woolmeister
Member Since: 26 Mar 2007
Location: Chandler's Ford
Posts: 3459
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Sounds like absolute tosh to me.
They're trying to make the alternator sound more advanced than it really is. It just generates power.
The expensive solution to this is to remove the faulty alternator and replace it with a Denso one. Hopefully all problems will be gone but you'll be left with a faulty alternator that you then need a refund for.
At least you'll have a working D3, though. 
I'm not sure if there is another answer to this problem. Most things point to the alternator when the battery light comes on.
Steve 2021 BMW iX3 Premier Edition in Carbon Black ⚡️🔌
2019 Škoda Kodiaq 2.0 Tdi 190 DSG Sportline in Quartz Grey. Excellent vehicle. Gone.
2017 Discovery Sport HSE Auto in Carpathian Grey and Ebony Leather. Modern JLR Junk. Gone.
2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 S Manual in Zermatt Silver with Ebony Cloth (143k) Gone, but now patrolling the Asia section of the West Midlands Safari Park!
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| 3rd Jan 2016 4:58 pm |
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Fento
Member Since: 10 Dec 2014
Location: Gatehouse of Fleet
Posts: 30
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Ok so I took the d3 for a full diagnostic on Friday to make sure there was no issue. On my way to the garage the battery light went off. Turns out it started charging of its own back, no fault codes or anything. Strange
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| 9th Jan 2016 7:48 pm |
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Sloss
Member Since: 18 Aug 2013
Location: Aberdeenish
Posts: 1691
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That could be something as simple as an alternator exciter brush
If so it will probably come back......  Stew,
2010 D4 gone but I really loved it
Went back to Merc - C350 AMG
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| 9th Jan 2016 8:26 pm |
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marcros
Member Since: 23 Sep 2013
Location: Leeds
Posts: 141
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where was the alternator from?
I echo the suggestions of only getting a dense one, having had an own brand, but british manufactured one fail weeks after being fitted.
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| 9th Jan 2016 8:45 pm |
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Fento
Member Since: 10 Dec 2014
Location: Gatehouse of Fleet
Posts: 30
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It was from your general run of the mill motor factors. Unfortunatley I couldn't afford a denso one at the time and needed to get the car back on the road.
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| 10th Jan 2016 1:29 pm |
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Sloss
Member Since: 18 Aug 2013
Location: Aberdeenish
Posts: 1691
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They should standby their product however with all the waffle they've given you I would have it checked at an auto electrician's just to be sure it's not the flux capacitor to blame Stew,
2010 D4 gone but I really loved it
Went back to Merc - C350 AMG
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| 10th Jan 2016 2:39 pm |
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Fento
Member Since: 10 Dec 2014
Location: Gatehouse of Fleet
Posts: 30
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yes its the flux capacitor, apparently it wasn't covered in tartan paint! 
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| 11th Jan 2016 10:10 am |
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Advanced Factors
Site Sponsor
Member Since: 27 Nov 2012
Location: Southampton
Posts: 2648
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Woolmeister wrote:Sounds like absolute tosh to me.
They're trying to make the alternator sound more advanced than it really is. It just generates power.
Steve
Steady on there Steve!
Below text nicked from Valeo - I know it says Ford, but it's the same smart charge system -
On many new Ford models the alternator fitted has a ‘smart charge system’ that regulates the output of the alternator
to ensure the battery is being charged efficiently and only when needed, reducing emissions and improving
performance.
The alternator is controlled by the PCM (power control module) which monitors certain parameters such as the engine
temperature, battery temperature and electrical demand. If the alternator does not receive a signal from the PCM, the
battery light is illuminated on the vehicle. This can sometimes be misdiagnosed as an alternator failure.
There are some checks that can be made to see if the alternator is at fault or, if there is an issue with the PCM or its
wiring.
● The first thing to check is if the battery is the correct type. Smart charge systems are designed to be used only
with a silver calcium battery not the lead acid type due to the voltages used which may damage a lead acid battery
and give incorrect readings. Paul Redding
+44 (0)23 8052 2774
Order Parts Online at www.advancedfactors.co.uk
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| 11th Jan 2016 11:29 am |
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