360 - Alternator and Regulator Query

[Nigelb1]

Apologies in advance for long post.

I had a breakdown in my 360 GLE 1988 2 litre carburettor model last night. Symptoms were fading lights, fuel and temp guages under reading, and not being able to use headlamps on main beam. The car stalled and I could not restart it - turn the key and the clunk of a flat battery was heard. The battery is about 5 months old for information.

When breakdown service turned up, car was started with jump leads, but he said that the alternator was only pushing out 12.3 volts at high revs.

I've had a look at Haynes manual today which says that early BOSCH alternators have a separate voltage regulator on the wing. I've had a look around and can only see a small plastic box above the Renix unit with Volvo and 209 - 542 on it and I'm not sure if this is it or even if this alternator has a separate regulator.

The alternator has a BOSCH lable on it with the numbers 0 120 489 295,with 297 on a separate line. Underneath this is K1 14V 23/55A 020.

I'm going to take it off the car tomorrow when the liquid sunshine lightens up a bit in South Wales and get it serviced. Hopefully who I take it too wll be able to tell me if it's fitted with a regulator, but does anyone know where or what a separate regulator looks like and where it is situated please? This will help in case I need to replace this as well.Also any hints and tips for getting at the alternator would help as it's a bit of a stretch from topside and it look as if the chassis members block the way from underneath.

Thanks in advance

Nigel

[foggyjames]

I can't really be of too much help, other than to say that I also have a B200K 360, and that I have to recify a similar fault on my friends fiesta at the moment!

Just out of interest, did the battery light not come on prior to failure - if the battery has run flat whilst moving (as happens to my friends fiesta), the alternator must be producing less power than the car is using, therefore the light illuminates?

I think the alternator is best reached from the top, but it is a bit of a stretch! I don't have the haynes manual with me, so I can't look up the regulator location, but I guess it'll either be on the alternator itself, or near the fusebox.

cheers

James

[Nigelb1]

No - no warning of failure. Guages under reading - wipers moving very slow and losing headlight beam by the mile. Eventually when car stalled couldn't get it restarted on key but there was some battery life left and so perhaps this is why dash light didn't come on? Cure was to replace alternator. Halfords £160 , local electrical factors £120 C.P Motors £50 second hand, Tested and delivered by courier the next day. I saw C.P at the BKV show ar Stratford a couple of years ago I think, and have bought stuff from them before. Very Helpful and reliable.

I have another problem following on from this one which is a separate post.

Just out of interest - do you think this forum has gone quiet? I seem to remember six or so months ago getting a lot of posts in here, but they seem to have dropped off now.

Thanks

Nigel