Flickering charging light - regulator query.

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

what2do
Registered user
Posts: 2824
Joined: 05 Oct 2012, 08:55
80-90 Mem No: 11974
Location: Salisbury

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by what2do »

itchyfeet wrote:
what2do wrote:Have wired it up to the battery. Showing just over 14 V with the engine running on the drive, drops to a tad over 12 V when engine is off. I'll take it for a spin later and see what the gauge reads at high'ish speeds because this is when the diode has been illuminating recently.

Yep working but as you say now monitor it.
I have to say I'm impressed


Impressed with what? My ability to get a job on the van done within the same calendar month?
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

User avatar
itchyfeet
Registered user
Posts: 12427
Joined: 23 Jul 2007, 17:24
80-90 Mem No: 12733
Location: South Hampshire

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by itchyfeet »

You got it...and it was your least favourite...electrics :D
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

what2do
Registered user
Posts: 2824
Joined: 05 Oct 2012, 08:55
80-90 Mem No: 11974
Location: Salisbury

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by what2do »

So, if I Rev the engine hard at standstill or whilst driving the diode illuminates, not totally bright or constant but illuminated sufficiently to be seen and the volts drop from 14 to 13. As soon as I back of the throttle the diode goes out. Haven't yet been on a drive today where I can hold a constant high rpm to see what effect that has.

Still none the wiser.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

User avatar
itchyfeet
Registered user
Posts: 12427
Joined: 23 Jul 2007, 17:24
80-90 Mem No: 12733
Location: South Hampshire

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by itchyfeet »

It's faulty
Had one like this before.
can borrow my spare from Monday and get it fixed or by a second hand one
Mick at NVVW may well have one
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

what2do
Registered user
Posts: 2824
Joined: 05 Oct 2012, 08:55
80-90 Mem No: 11974
Location: Salisbury

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by what2do »

itchyfeet wrote:It's faulty
Had one like this before.
can borrow my spare from Monday and get it fixed or by a second hand one
Mick at NVVW may well have one


Mines a Bosch, safe to say it's worth trying to get mine refurbished rather than buying a lesser brand?
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by CovKid »

Diode pack deep inside the alternator, as I mentioned earlier. Tis possible to change it yourself but you do need a good vice.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

what2do
Registered user
Posts: 2824
Joined: 05 Oct 2012, 08:55
80-90 Mem No: 11974
Location: Salisbury

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by what2do »

CovKid wrote:Diode pack deep inside the alternator, as I mentioned earlier. Tis possible to change it yourself but you do need a good vice.


Thanks Ralph, I'd be very interested in having a go myself, do you have ant pointers on disassembly please? To undo the large nut on the front do I have to grip the pulley? It looks a bit flimsy to be gripping in a vice especially as I envisage the nut being 'man tight'.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by CovKid »

This guy is great: https://www.youtube.com/user/WestronicsIrl/videos" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No one should fear starter motors and alternators. WAY too many get exchanged (at great cost) when often the repair is easier than you think ;) I always rebuild my own.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by CovKid »

Not the same alternator but principles the same. Diode pack/rectifier replacement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tvXocfXyic" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In my experience, rectifier faults tend out outnumber regulator faults. All the bearings are available and some even sell complete rebuild kits on ebay.
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

User avatar
itchyfeet
Registered user
Posts: 12427
Joined: 23 Jul 2007, 17:24
80-90 Mem No: 12733
Location: South Hampshire

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by itchyfeet »

Another excuse not to fit the engine .... :lol:
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

what2do
Registered user
Posts: 2824
Joined: 05 Oct 2012, 08:55
80-90 Mem No: 11974
Location: Salisbury

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by what2do »

itchyfeet wrote:Another excuse not to fit the engine .... :lol:


Nope. Just catching up with work and I'll soon be good to go, I could do without a heatwave whilst working on the van though.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

what2do
Registered user
Posts: 2824
Joined: 05 Oct 2012, 08:55
80-90 Mem No: 11974
Location: Salisbury

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by what2do »

CovKid wrote:Not the same alternator but principles the same. Diode pack/rectifier replacement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tvXocfXyic" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In my experience, rectifier faults tend out outnumber regulator faults. All the bearings are available and some even sell complete rebuild kits on ebay.

Thanks for the links, if only our rectifiers were external, the job would be a lot easier...
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

User avatar
CovKid
Trader
Posts: 8409
Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
80-90 Mem No: 3529
Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
Contact:

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by CovKid »

Tell me about it :(
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.

what2do
Registered user
Posts: 2824
Joined: 05 Oct 2012, 08:55
80-90 Mem No: 11974
Location: Salisbury

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by what2do »

Time for an update. Did my first journey that was more than just local trips today, from Salisbury to Dorset (approx 70 minutes travel time). I soon realised that the charging light illuminates whist revving hard either stationary or whilst accelerating. So once out of town and onto good country roads where my speed was between 55 - 65 mph the diode would be constantly illuminated. Slow down for a junction/roundabout and it goes out. Now that I have the gauge fitted I can see that when the diode is lit, the voltmeter drops to under 13; when it goes out the voltmeter returns to 14 v.

There's a simple test that I've seen on YouTube which shows how to test the rectifier, I'll go and do the test shortly and report back.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

what2do
Registered user
Posts: 2824
Joined: 05 Oct 2012, 08:55
80-90 Mem No: 11974
Location: Salisbury

Re: Flickering charging light - regulator query.

Post by what2do »

Ran a test on the rectifier and it's as should be when the meter reads 0L, the other way around gives me a reading of 1620 (units Unknown, meter set to 'diode'). From what I gather this reading is far too high but I'd like to clarify that, does anybody know where to find the acceptable range for rectifiers?

Thanks.
Why would the glass be anything other than half full?

'89 panel van, 1.9 DG.

Post Reply