7 replies to this topic

[Roo]

Hi

I've come to the conclusion that my alternator isn't working. I've replaced my battery only two weeks ago and am now seeing symptoms of my battery being flat.... again. My drive belt is also squealling. its been tightened 3 times already.

What alternator do i go for? I've looked at mini spares site and i have no idea what i need.

I've got a 96 1275 spi Equinox

Hope someone can help.

Roo

[biggav]

Hi

I've come to the conclusion that my alternator isn't working. I've replaced my battery only two weeks ago and am now seeing symptoms of my battery being flat.... again. My drive belt is also squealling. its been tightened 3 times already.

What alternator do i go for? I've looked at mini spares site and i have no idea what i need.

I've got a 96 1275 spi Equinox

Hope someone can help.

Roo

i think you should be able to have the alternator checked very cheaply befor ebuying a new one.... (the aa do it for free when i break down)

[Jimmyarm]

You can do it with a multimeter.....I think it shows you in the haynes book.

Edited by Jimmyarm, 11 January 2007 - 02:18 PM.

[taffy1967]

When the alternator started making funny noises on my 90 Mainstream Mini Cooper, I just removed it and took it to a local auto electricians to get new brushes and stuff fitted. Basically it got overhauled and it's been fine ever since.

You can take it to auto factors and exchange it for a reconditioned unit, but what I did was far cheaper and I also got to keep my original alternator too!

Edited by taffy1967, 12 January 2007 - 08:31 PM.

[Major Burkenshaw]

You can pick up second hand ones for about £20. These alternators were fitted to quite a few cars, i know the Xr3i alternators are identical. There are posts already saying which cars they were fitted to, try searching

[Dan]

Lucas A127, 65 amp.

You could fit the uprated 75 amp version if you like but since this car already has it's alternator uprated from the original 55 amps with no improvement to the wiring you should increase the size or number of the wires running from the alternator to the starter solenoid at the very least.

[Roo]

Thanks Dan.

The one on mini spares site is an A127 70 amp will that be okay?

[Dan]

I didn't think there was a 70! AFAIK there are 55, 65 and 75 amp versions of it. I should think it'll be fine but when you first get it keep an eye on the wires running out of the alternator plug for a few weeks for signs of the two thick brown ones overheating, particularly after the battery has been charging heavily (after starting it in really cold weather or having driven along with all the electrical gear like wipers, lights and heaters running). If they don't get too hot nothing else should.