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Alternator Problems

KerrodR33

By KerrodR33,
in General Maintenance

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KerrodR33 Community Regular

KerrodR33

Posted
Posted

Hi guys got myself into mischief today.

So the story goes my R33 gtst sat for a month and a half while I went on holidays and then installed a new front mount intercooler.

I tried to start it today after finishing of the install but the car wouldn't start. It just made a one solid click noise when I turned the key. I asked my mate to come around and jump it for me assuming the battery had just gone flat.

When we tried to jump it nothing happened and the positive terminal on my battery started to glow red! I was like what the hell? so we disconnected the leads and noticed smoke coming from under my bonnet. When I looked under the bonnet I noticed a small flame coming out of the alternator.

A cheeky spray of the fire extinguisher and we tried jumping it again and it started, however it was idling crap and kept running out of juice. While it was idling I noticed the battery light was staying on and my audio was not working (suspected I have blown a fuse there while jumping it).

So do you guys reckon it would have just been the alternator flogged out (I'm picking up a brand new one tomorrow) or is there something else to look for?

Cheers guys!

(PS: the alternator was making a quiet grinding noise once started)

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White GTS-T Mentor

White GTS-T

Posted
Posted

How did it sound when it did turn over? Did it spin over quickly or was it slowly? It sounds like the starter is cactus, drawing a too many amps causing the terminal to glow, or possibly the motor was hydraulically locked? Was the negative jumper lead on your car connected to the negative terminal on your battery or to an earth on the motor? Also, ensure you check all fusible links, fuses and wiring.

89CAL Grand Master

89CAL

Posted
Posted

Sounds like the altenator wasnt the original problem but it may be an issue now. Got a multimeter?

Start the car and check the voltage and report back.

battery terminal glowing red is not good. Is there any voltage at all out of the battery? If it is not a sealed battery check the fluid levels. If one or more look like they have no liquid in them then it might be a battery issue.

KerrodR33 Community Regular

KerrodR33

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I placed the negative on the bolt holding the strut brace in.

So I replaced the alternator today with a brand new Bosch unit then jump started it. Worked straight away then I gave it some revs till the battery light disappeared, took it for a drive and it was nice and crisp. Until the engine warmed up and it started to surge.

Tried to baby it home but the surging got so bad it was trying to stall in first gear with foot flat to the floor with a lot of jerking. Car stalled on the side of the road and would not start, made the same one click noise and nothing :(

Got it towed home and I have parked it up and trying to forget it exists haha.

So any ideas on what the problem could be? Might tackle all the fuses tomorrow.

I also noticed that while it was surging like a champ the airbag light was flickering on my dash? Wtf?

KerrodR33 Community Regular

KerrodR33

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Replaced all the fuses and put a new battery in today and the car is fixed :D drove it for 3hours straight without a hiccup.

Thanks guys great help. Never new putting a fmic on would give me this much headache haha and be such a simple problem to fix :S.

I think I was thinking to much into it.

  • 2 months later...
turb33gtst Enthusiast

turb33gtst

Posted
Posted

When I had probs with battery in my R33 GTST

I jumped it with only a 400a starter kit if you

jump start do it from terminals in engine bay on right side

of car front terminal positive ( there are 2 positive terminals )

Negative on earth strut at back of box this will give you direct feed

to the starter motor for maximum current when starting

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