R.I.P My Alternator

[st247]

This is the second electrical breakdown recently. The big red warning triangle greeted me this morning, so another days holidays lost to BWM. Did the usual charging checks before popping the alternator off and taking down to be checked out. Just waiting the prognosis now.

Had a search but can't find anyone who's had to change one. So if you have, did you buy it from the stealer, or get an exchange unit

 

[MIKA]

When you say you checked the battery did you check it when starting the bike? My battery was showing okay when running and charging, but the problem appeared when the engine was cranking and had to be replaced.

Don't like the thought of the cost of replacing an alternator.

Good luck!

 

[st247]

When you say you checked the battery did you check it when starting the bike? My battery was showing okay when running and charging, but the problem appeared when the engine was cranking and had to be replaced.

Don't like the thought of the cost of replacing an alternator.

Good luck!

Might as well fill out the story a bit, see if anyone has any other ideas.

Started the bike this morning (no problem), and was greeted by the big red triangle and battery signs. Decided to go anyway, mainly because i've had an other dodgy warning light recently (oil pressure from a wet switch). After about ten miles the headlights go off. So it's not a phantom warning

Do a u-turn asap and fall in behind a truck heading my way. Couple of miles later i touch the brake, bit of a mistake that. The ABS pump uses all the available power and the engine dies. Cock (me for setting of in the first place). Try a restart whilst sat at the side of a slip road - no go, just the old 'clack clack'.

Soon after a nice man in a big orange tranny turns up and charges the battery for ten minutes with his jump leads. That was enough for me to drive the 9 or so miles home.

Back at the bat cave (after ringing work - again) i start to have a look. Check the battery's resting voltage and the voltage with the engine running (idle and about 4000rpm) - both readings the same (11.5v).

Remove and clean the battery terminals, earth point on the engine and starter wiring. Check cable continuity. Refit and check battery voltage again - readings still the same.

Remove the Alternator and take to friendly auto elec guys to check. Lock shitheap, sorry bike, in garage and go to sort out the car so i can go to work tommorow.

 

[cookie]

Soon after a nice man in a big orange tranny turns up and charges the battery for ten minutes with his jump leads. That was enough for me to drive the 9 or so miles home.

Back at the bat cave (after ringing work - again) i start to have a look. Check the battery's resting voltage and the voltage with the engine running (idle and about 4000rpm) - both readings the same (11.5v).

Remove and clean the battery terminals, earth point on the engine and starter wiring. Check cable continuity. Refit and check battery voltage again - readings still the same.

sounds like the alternator to me.

i was going to suggest that the belt had snapped, but i suspect you might have noticed that

 

[ktmmark]

shame you are so far away as you could have tried my spare one

 

[st247]

sounds like the alternator to me.

i was going to suggest that the belt had snapped, but i suspect you might have noticed that

I was rather hoping that would be the case, no such luck.

shame you are so far away as you could have tried my spare one

Aye a bit far, but a nice thought. There is one on Ebay, although it's the Bosch rather than the Nippon version. Just waiting to see if the connectors the same. Suspect it won't be though.

 

[cookie]

maybe your friendly auto elec guys can repair it?

 

[ktmmark]

on the old 1100 you could get the reg/brush pack

 

[st247]

maybe your friendly auto elec guys can repair it?

With a bit of luck they'll be able to. I have found a couple of part numbers for new units. Mostly in the states, but i expect with a bit of digging i'll be able to source one locally if needs be.

Ebay is really a last resort, no way of telling if the unit any good to start with or whether it'll die in a short space of time.

 

[st247]

on the old 1100 you could get the reg/brush pack

An 1100 is starting to sound quite appealling. Not sure whether that's because of the breakdowns or my increasing age

 

[ktmmark]

what year & milage is yours, mine's an 05 with 20k & been as good as gold

 

[Magwych]

I am sure I have seen threas on here regarding the connections at the starter motor. IIRC the cables from the charging circuit and battery meet on one of the starter motor posts; this area was prone to collecting crud and eroding connections. Probably still is, the starter motor cover is no longer fitted on '08 models on; allegedly to make it easier to clean and inspect this area.

IIWY, I would reomve the cover ( assuming you have an earlier model ) and have a look to see if all cables are securely connected here, and are not corroded at the terminals. Looking at your avatar you have come down on this side in field of poo, perhaps something was strained and has slowly degraded until the power from the alternator is not getting pushed through, or something similar

Won't cost anything to check, if you are happy extracting the alternator this should not be difficult...

 

[st247]

what year & milage is yours, mine's an 05 with 20k & been as good as gold

Scary - mines an 05 with 20k. Mines Grey though which might be the key

Mines been pretty good aswell, just a coupe of electricery faults in the last month or so. Could be worse, today i've missed a day of work. Much better than it failing in April when i'm in Morocco.

 

[st247]

IIRC the cables from the charging circuit and battery meet on one of the starter motor posts; this area was prone to collecting crud and eroding connections. Probably still is, the starter motor cover is no longer fitted on '08 models on; allegedly to make it easier to clean and inspect this area.

Won't cost anything to check, if you are happy extracting the alternator this should not be difficult...

Cheers, checked that early on when i cleaned up all the terminals. TBH it's not that long since i was in there, after having one of the starter relay terminals fail.

 

[ktmmark]

Scary - mines an 05 with 20k. Mines Grey though which might be the key

My gs is grey but was in morocco last year

 

[ktmmark]

You don't want to buy a new one £506

 

[st247]

You don't want to buy a new one £506

Hucking Fell, that's taking the piss!!

A lot cheaper Bosch ones in the states - Linky. Should be able to get one over here, at a price obviously

 

[ktmmark]

Suspect the old unit can be repaired ,there is a place down the road from us that repairs all sorts of odd starters /alternators

 

[st247]

Repair/Exchange unit is choice no.1.

 

[original_concept]

These guys might be able to help:

http://www.westcountrywindings.co.uk/