Alternator for Vauxhall Nova GTE
Discussion
Hi,
I have a 1990 Vauxhall Nova GTE, which has done just 20,000 miles. It's kept in a garage but still hates the cold weather and the battery has died on me several times within a short space of time - I have posted on here about it before.
I had the RAC out to it last week and the mechanic said that the alternator wasn't charging the battery properly. (It's never had the alternator changed). He said he doesn't know if this model has a separate regulator as it may be just that which needs replacing. Last year, it apparently wasn't an alternator problem that was causing the battery to die.
The mechanic showed me this time that when he jump started the car and tested the voltage, once he put on windscreen wipers, heating, lights, the voltage went right down and soon it went dead again.
I'm taking it into the garage tomorrow for its MOT and for them to have a look at the alternator too, otherwise the mechanic said the RAC won't validate the warranty for the new battery he fitted(free of charge as a goodwill gesture).
Does anyone know if there's a separate regulator for this model please? It would help if I knew a little of what I'm talking about, being a mere *cough* woman! Also, any rough idea of what the cost should be thereabouts would be a great help too.
Many thanks in advance.
I have a 1990 Vauxhall Nova GTE, which has done just 20,000 miles. It's kept in a garage but still hates the cold weather and the battery has died on me several times within a short space of time - I have posted on here about it before.
I had the RAC out to it last week and the mechanic said that the alternator wasn't charging the battery properly. (It's never had the alternator changed). He said he doesn't know if this model has a separate regulator as it may be just that which needs replacing. Last year, it apparently wasn't an alternator problem that was causing the battery to die.
The mechanic showed me this time that when he jump started the car and tested the voltage, once he put on windscreen wipers, heating, lights, the voltage went right down and soon it went dead again.
I'm taking it into the garage tomorrow for its MOT and for them to have a look at the alternator too, otherwise the mechanic said the RAC won't validate the warranty for the new battery he fitted(free of charge as a goodwill gesture).
Does anyone know if there's a separate regulator for this model please? It would help if I knew a little of what I'm talking about, being a mere *cough* woman! Also, any rough idea of what the cost should be thereabouts would be a great help too.
Many thanks in advance.
The alternator will have an internal voltage regulator - that's the normal configuration and there's nothing special about the electrical system on the Nova.
It sounds like the alternator has just bitten the dust, but the following need to be checked too:
- fan belt not slipping (sounds daft but it could be even if you can't hear it)
- the small feed wire on the back of the alternator (the smaller of the two wires) is actually connected; the alternator won't give any output if this isn't connected, even if the alternator is ok
- the battery earth lead is ok and not frayed
Supposedly batteries and alternators need to be disconnected prior to welding the body shell. Being a Nova, even a low mileage one, it's very likely to have had some welding at some point!! The supposed consequence of not doing so is damage to the voltage regulator, but I've done lots of welding on various cars with only the battery connected and have never had an alternator failure.
If it comes to getting a new alternator fitted, they aren't that expensive. Something like £70 I'd guess (which will be a reconditioned / remanufatured one but that's ok). A decent mechanic would get it fitted in an hour.
Good luck!
It sounds like the alternator has just bitten the dust, but the following need to be checked too:
- fan belt not slipping (sounds daft but it could be even if you can't hear it)
- the small feed wire on the back of the alternator (the smaller of the two wires) is actually connected; the alternator won't give any output if this isn't connected, even if the alternator is ok
- the battery earth lead is ok and not frayed
Supposedly batteries and alternators need to be disconnected prior to welding the body shell. Being a Nova, even a low mileage one, it's very likely to have had some welding at some point!! The supposed consequence of not doing so is damage to the voltage regulator, but I've done lots of welding on various cars with only the battery connected and have never had an alternator failure.
If it comes to getting a new alternator fitted, they aren't that expensive. Something like £70 I'd guess (which will be a reconditioned / remanufatured one but that's ok). A decent mechanic would get it fitted in an hour.
Good luck!
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