Alternator fault?

Question

My 1998 Rover 420 has a strange fault - when driving, the ABS light sometimes comes on, the temperature guage reads high (not overheating though) and if the headlights are on, the bulbs blow. If the headlights aren't on and the radio is, this "crashes" and goes silent and requires an ignition on/off before it works again. Oddly no fuses are blowing.

I noticed this happens pretty consistently if I accelerate hard up to high revs (5500 rpm+).

I suspected the alternator, specifically the regulator that's part of it. However the local garage tested the output from the alternator and it was perfectly normal. They admitted they didn't sustain high revs for very long - merely blipped it up there briefly.

Is there anything else it could be? Don't want to fork out for a new alternator if it's something else (wiring fault, ECU etc). Anyone know how much an alternator would be for one of these?

Dave Plowman (News) · Accepted Answer

If you've got a DVM, rig it up to show battery volts while you're driving. A cigar lighter plug is an easy way. If the alternator is being turned hard on you'll see somewhere around 16 volts instead of the correct 14 or so max.

mrcheerful · Answer

Check very carefully for loose or damaged battery and earth leads.a rebuilt alternator should be about 50 -75 quid.mrcheerful

Duncanwood · Answer

Odds are it's a wiring fault, start with the earth straps esp the battery  to chassis then the ignition light feed wire.

John · Answer

Duncanwood  wrote in news:op.s1oki6ig4wom51@amy: Should I just check the connections, or is there a proper way of testing the wiring?

John · Answer

"Dave Plowman (News)"  wrote innews:     That's a good idea. I think I'll have to invest in a multimeter :)

Duncanwood · Answer

If it's doing it intermittently then tugging hard  & looking for damage or  loose connections is most likely to lead to a result.

Alternator fault?

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