Why should that bit break?
Discussion
Hello all.
Just about to attempt to fit a new alternator to my 98 MR2 (weekend toy - not allowed to ride bikes anymore since the last crash left me with a hand full of steel bits. Wives. Nice.), but just wandering if anyone has a clue as to why an alternator would sieze in the first place, could it be a sign of other nasties going on? And why should the alternator not running cause all of the fluid level warning lights to come on? (Attempting to run the engine with a seized alternator snapped the belt. Screeeech, ping.) Yes,... I've checked the levels. Duh.
Just about to attempt to fit a new alternator to my 98 MR2 (weekend toy - not allowed to ride bikes anymore since the last crash left me with a hand full of steel bits. Wives. Nice.), but just wandering if anyone has a clue as to why an alternator would sieze in the first place, could it be a sign of other nasties going on? And why should the alternator not running cause all of the fluid level warning lights to come on? (Attempting to run the engine with a seized alternator snapped the belt. Screeeech, ping.) Yes,... I've checked the levels. Duh.
Just a few idle thoughts...
Why it fails - the shaft in an alternator connecting the pulley to the various windings and such to generate the electicital power runs through a bearing. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing on Wheeler Dealers when they did a Mk1 MR2 that rain drips right onto the alternator and over time, the bearing will wear out because of this.
Coolant warnings - is the water pump driven by the same belt as the alternator? Don't ask my why I know to ask this question
Why it fails - the shaft in an alternator connecting the pulley to the various windings and such to generate the electicital power runs through a bearing. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing on Wheeler Dealers when they did a Mk1 MR2 that rain drips right onto the alternator and over time, the bearing will wear out because of this.
Coolant warnings - is the water pump driven by the same belt as the alternator? Don't ask my why I know to ask this question
Eyup.
Not sure and can't check as I'm at work! But actually, the coolant warning light didn't light, just the oil level and brake fluid level warnings oddly. Also the engine cooling fan warning. Surely the level warnings wouldn't be affected if the respective pumps weren't running. I could understand if it was a pressure light. A bit nonplussed.
Mine's a mark 2. I wonder if they fixed that fault you mentioned about rain in the mark 1 or if it managed to carry over to the later model!
Not sure and can't check as I'm at work! But actually, the coolant warning light didn't light, just the oil level and brake fluid level warnings oddly. Also the engine cooling fan warning. Surely the level warnings wouldn't be affected if the respective pumps weren't running. I could understand if it was a pressure light. A bit nonplussed.
Mine's a mark 2. I wonder if they fixed that fault you mentioned about rain in the mark 1 or if it managed to carry over to the later model!
toomanywheels said:Could it be that with the alternator no longer charging, the electrics decided the engine was no longer running but with the key in the on position (for want of a better word) illuminated the warning lights as it would do during the starting procedure under normal circumstances?
Surely the level warnings wouldn't be affected if the respective pumps weren't running.
Munter said:
Yeah all the lights coming on sounds like a low voltage gremlin issue. And the gremlin would be that the alternator wasn't charging.
Makes sense dude. Hopefully I won't get that christmas tree effect (albeit pretty) when I fit the new one at the weekend then. Fingers crossed.
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