Broken Down - Alternator

[trojen]

So yesterday i broke down in the tourer visiting relatives in Worcester. I pretty quickly realised it was the alternator. Promptly rang the RAC so i could get recovered back to Birmingham (only a couple of junctions up the M5).

The RAC guy turned up with his voltmeter, after jumping the car confirmed the diagnostics.

Anyway he gets a hammer out the van removed the airbox and give the alternator a couple of wacks and it came to life.

All sorted drove back home without issues.

I've heard of walking a stuck starter motor but never thought about it with an alternator.

Is an alternator something i can pull apart clean up and reassemble assuming bearings etc are ok? or should i just chuck a new one on?

[andysheep]

Very intresting,maybe the brushs resume better contact?rover v8s like a tap on fuel pump too

[Jesus325iTouring]

I've heard of walking a stuck starter motor but never thought about it with an alternator.

Do you need a special lead for this or will a dog lead do

[trojen]

Bloody auto correct...

[Jesus325iTouring]

[HairyScreech]

Yep, sounds like carbon and other shite build up stopping the bushes sliding in. Sounds like you had the last old school RAC man on the team.

Nothing a clean and maybe a new brushing pack (~£15) won't fix.

[aimlessrock]

I've done this myself when one of my 190's died on me. I now keep spare bush set in the glove box.

[Brianmoooore]

The regulator pack is easily removed with the alternator in situ. A gentle pull on the remains of the shortest brush will stretch the copper braid holding it in place, letting it project slightly further than it was - enough extra brush to last at least six months.
This can be done by the roadside in less than 15 minutes, with the tools in the standard tool kit.