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Two Questions

Hi peolple,

Question 1,

Can anybody guide me to what pins do what on a standard series 2 ignition switch please? I want to put in a push button starter, but when I had a quick play - the button was always live - I want it to be ignition controlled - but Im far from being an electricial - I struggle!

Question 2,

Just had the recent misfortune of needing a new alternator, could not get the model that was fitted to my V8 series 1 (it was a AC delco with 4 wires connected) the only one I could get (I was in a hurry!) was a Lucas one but with only 3 wires connectors.

The original AC delco had the following connections:

1) Main Positive Wire 2) Earth wire (again heavy duty) 3) Smaller Wire going to terminal stamped "IND" 4) Smaller Wire going to terminal stamped "BAT"

I ended up doing the following:

Discarding the Earth Wire Connecting the main positive Connecting the wire that was to the "Ind" back on I just discarded and insulated away the wire that went to the terminal stamped "BAT"

So I was left with a new alternator connected but with only two wires - the main positive and "IND" wire with the following results - My dashboard warning light works and goes out when the engine is started, I get 14.3volts across the battery when engine running, down to 14.1v with all lights and electric fan on - to me this seems fine.

So the real question is, what is that other wire for (the one that went to the "BAT" connection on the old alternator) and am I damaging anything by not using it?

I notice that most cars do seem to have three wires into the alternator, the wire I discarded also seems to give a live feed when the ignition is turned on.

Sorry to waffle on, but any help/guidance would be appreciated.

Rog

Reply to
Rog
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Twas Wed, 21 Jan 2004 12:07:09 +0000 (UTC) when "Rog" put finger to keyboard producing:

I'm fiddling with some alternator trouble at the moment, Mine has a wire to the starter (battery heavy terminal) and one to the dashboard warning lamp, it has an unused terminal that (according to the wireing diagram for a different model) also goes to the battery.

I don't suppose that helps, but for what it's worth I've wound

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to be very helpfull and seem to know alternators inside out.

-- Regards. Mark.(AKA, Mr.Nice.) ___________________________________________________________ "To know the character of a man, give him anonymity" - Mr.Nice.

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mrniceATmrnice.me.uk
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110 CSW 2.5(na)D___________________________________________________________

Reply to
Mr.Nice.

The current drawn by the starter will destroy any ignition switch. This is why ignition key starting arrangements need a relay and starter solenoid. You might possibly be able to fit a later starter motor incorporating a solenoid, but If you just want to isolate the starting system I'd go for one of the big red battery isolator switches.

Nick

Reply to
nick nelson

IIRC the fourth wire marked BAT (also marked S for Sense) is a battery sense lead, that should be connected, by a separate wire, to the battery. If the alternator doesn't have a BAT terminal, then the alternator is machine sensed, not battery sensed, and the wire becomes redundant. (the wire is connected internally, to the main +ve wire). The IND wire is the conneciton to the lamp on the dash, which must be connected (and the bulb working)

Battery sensed alternators work better when the battery is a long distance from the alternator, ie in the boot, for batteries under the bonnet or nearby, it isn't necessary.

Alex

Reply to
Alex

Thank you Alex and Nick,

Alex, my battery is in the seat box area, is this too far away?

Rog

Reply to
Rog

No, machine sense will be fine at that distance. I'm not sure you can obtain new alternators that are battery sensed, as 99.9% of modern cars have the battery under the bonnet.

Battery sensing has less use these days, as a lot of batteries don't last long enough, and tend to be sealed units. Years ago when topping up and equlaizing batteries was required, the charging systems were designed to be a little more selective about how the battery was charged, in order to prolong the life of the battery. These days nobody expects to get more than 5 years out of a battery anwyay.

Alex

Reply to
Alex

Thank You.

Reply to
Rog

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