Adventures of Betty and Veronica (the high maintenance van)

[betty]

In the past year, I (Betty) have had to replace a cracked head, a windshield, a fan clutch, a fuel filter and various smaller parts, cleaned the radiator out completely, install an inline heater and had the alternator rebuilt on my Delica Chamonix, Veronica!

Now my wonderful and currently less than reliable van has decided to quit once again. While driving to my mom's house the electrical started to go on the fritz, doing many of the fun little things it did the last time the alternator died (and left me stranded in the middle of nowhere Montana) such as the radio losing signal and the lights dimming. I arrived safely to my destination with no other troubles but when I went to start the van up to go home, Nothing! Some clicks, a few engine lights but no power, no turning over, no starting.
According to my handy voltmeter, the glow plugs draw down the power in the batteries to around 6V when they are turned on and the voltage does not go back up again. Only when everything is off do the batteries hold a 12V charge each.
I have yet to try boosting it and am checking all the connections, etc.
Any other suggestions before I rip out that damn alternator with my bare hands and ship it back to the small town mechanic that rebuilt it?

[Green1]

Now my wonderful and currently less than reliable van has decided to quit once again. While driving to my mom's house the electrical started to go on the fritz, doing many of the fun little things it did the last time the alternator died (and left me stranded in the middle of nowhere Montana) such as the radio losing signal and the lights dimming. I arrived safely to my destination with no other troubles but when I went to start the van up to go home, Nothing! Some clicks, a few engine lights but no power, no turning over, no starting.
According to my handy voltmeter, the glow plugs draw down the power in the batteries to around 6V when they are turned on and the voltage does not go back up again. Only when everything is off do the batteries hold a 12V charge each.
I have yet to try boosting it and am checking all the connections, etc.
Any other suggestions before I rip out that damn alternator with my bare hands and ship it back to the small town mechanic that rebuilt it?

When they re-built the alternator did they re-use the same voltage regulator? or give you a new one? did you replace the batteries at the same time?
either one can kill the other.

beyond that, if the alternator belt is loose or worn you won't be charging enough, or if your batteries are REALLY toast it could cause these issues (though they have to get awfully bad before they will affect anything while the engine is running)
other bits to check while checking the belt tension include the crankshaft pulley, make sure it is on securely and the bolt holding it to the crankshaft is tight.

[betty]

Belts are fine, everything is good and clean and new in that area. Have no idea what was done during the rebuild of the alternator, it was just rebuilt in September this year.
Can all these cold starts over the last two weeks has some effect on everything in terms of burning out the alternator faster than usual?

[Green1]

Belts are fine, everything is good and clean and new in that area. Have no idea what was done during the rebuild of the alternator, it was just rebuilt in September this year.
Can all these cold starts over the last two weeks has some effect on everything in terms of burning out the alternator faster than usual?

The cold starts should have nothing to do with it, you have either a battery, or an alternator problem, or both.

[mararmeisto]

Sounds like the voltage regulator in your alternator. Your battery may indicate that it has 12v when metered, but under load it probably drops down to too little to be useful (the flickering lights and fading radio).

Pull the alternator off, again, and this time have it replaced/repaired properly.

[jessef]

How old are your batteries.

Without a good battery(ies) the engine won't turn over via the starter.

[madmazda]

hey i live in calgary if you need help let me know yea.... plus if you can get it started try to take off an electrical leed if it suddenly dies it's most likely your alternator

Belts are fine, everything is good and clean and new in that area. Have no idea what was done during the rebuild of the alternator, it was just rebuilt in September this year.
Can all these cold starts over the last two weeks has some effect on everything in terms of burning out the alternator faster than usual?

[Spearo]

Might just be loose connections on your alternator. This happened to me after replacing one on a different vehicle- didn't tighten the bolts enough. I'd check the belt, then the connections. If they're ok methinks it's the alternator.

[delillama]

The altenator has been pulled and shipped for a rebuilt. maybe this time, right. batteries were holding 12.5 volts, so could we say no battery change is necessary.

[delillama]

As it happens, it was the voltage regulator that failed, and of course not under warranty.

[jessef]

As it happens, it was the voltage regulator that failed, and of course not under warranty.

Very common if you google or search on the site.

I've gone through many a voltage reulator before I finally invested in a good battery.

If you have a poor battery, it will take out the regulator.

[thedjjack]

cables tight and well connected at the battery?

Glow plugs + Starter = lots of amps.

New to Delicas but not diesels (+ the two delica's I helped get started just need the negative terminals tightened!) Also, check ground straps to chassis and motor.