electrical problems

[windsnob54]

So i was driving the van all day. the last time i started it the battery, filter and temp lights were dimly glowing. they would go out under load and fading back in when getting closer to idle and kinda pulsate.

when i got home the van wouldn't turn over fast enough to re start. BUT the headlights weren't dim at all.

thoughts?

[delicat]

First, check to make sure your connections on your battery are tight and not corroded. They do come loose with time. If not you'll probably need to check the charge system.

[quadzilla]

What Delicat said - last summer I had an issue with loose connections - van would run all day, then in the morning, nothing, not even a click. I would open the hatch, wiggle the battery connections, and voila! Power. I have since replaced the battery and connections and all has been grand.

[TardisDeli]

Hi Windsnob, We had exact same symptoms a few months ago, the glowing fainter then brighter then fainter Idiot lights on the dash is the Classic Delica Symptom to indicate that your alternator is about to die.

MardyDelica of Amazing Autos uses a great place in Richmond that rewired the alternator in a couple hours while I waited (very professional place, immaculately clean shop, I think they only worked weekdays).

Removing the alternator is a bit tricky from what I saw (by Edwin), need to reach way up inside while lying underneath, to loosen the main bolt holding it in, then alternator sort of drops down like on a hinge, then you can loosen off the other bolts. There is an engraved information plate on the outside of the alternator, which gives the amps info needed to rewire it.

For now, keep charging your battery with a battery charger, and dont have any accessories on while driving, so don't drive at night.

[mararmeisto]

I agree with TardisDeli: classic alternator indications.

I had the same symptoms with the Moon Machine last year, drove around for a couple of months trying to diagnose it myself, dug this forum (and the UK forum and the Australian forum), and decided it was the alternator (both of the off-shore forums referred to these as the 'Christmas lights,' so it took a while to determine what they meant). Took it to CCAutos - problems solved.

As for change-out, well that's tricky too because the oil pump (?) is attached to the back side of the alternator, and the damned thing is tucked up in behind/above the turbo, so if you've got great big gorilla hands it makes changing it out a bit of a skin-scorching endeavor.

If you're located on the Island, go see CCAutos. If on the Mainland, go see MardyDelica.

Finally, before you ask, there will be apparent rhyme or reason to whether or not your van has the 75 amp or the 90 amp alternator. I suggest if you have the dual batteries, the sound-pack (stereo in the front, mixer in the rear and extra speakers), and some big honking lights on the bull bars, get the 90 amp version. Somebody a while back was advertising a 125 amp alternator that would 'fit' into these vans, but no-one really came forward and confirmed that fit (and it's probably not necessary unless you've got a half dozen bush lights on your roof rack as well).

[windsnob54]

it's official i started the car this morning with a fresh battery, the lighs glowed a bit but then disappeared i figured the mustery problem must have fixed itself. but by the time i got to whistler my clock was fading. so...

why would my alternator just die? I need to find someone with a volt meter or pull it out to have it bench tested,

any other things to check? voltage regulator?

[docsavage]

The voltage regulator is built into the alternator and that is what goes on the alternator. It is a common part ($75 ish) and can be done oneself, but not unless your willing to screw it up once when learning. Sometimes, it may continue to blow regulators then something inside is wrong. That is why at one time went another route here:

http://www.delica.ca/forum/100-amp-alte ... g-429.html

James

[windsnob54]

replaced the alternator, a job made out to be a real pain on here but with the front of the van on ramps it was no big deal, and all is back to normal. Lights seem brighter too.

martin

[marsgal42]

Yup: your alternator is dying.

I went through this in January/February '08. On the way to Japanoid for them to fix it I held the transmission in 1st gear, because the idiot light wouldn't go out at anything less than 2500 RPM.

Try measuring the electrical system voltage. It will be about 10 volts during the idiot light show, but jump up when the alternator kicks in and decides to start charging. The cigarette lighter is a handy access point for this, though it's switched accessory power and you won't see anything while the engine is cranking.

...laura