Altenator's

[Paul-C]

Got rid of the AT oil leak so turning my attention to altenator's
Can anybody advise?
I think the altenator is starting to fail, I am getting around 13.2 to 13.5 volts from it and have been for some time but as the day's are getting colder and darker I think it will struggle to keep the battery topped up.
So the question is can replacement bushes be obtained and if so is it a reasonably easy job to do?
A second question should be is it worth it against obtaining a replacement unit?
The car is a 960 CD estate 3ltr 1996 model 160k
Thank's for any input
Paul-C

[doingitsideways]

Hi.

To be honest, alternators are a right PITA to take apart and rebuild.

A mate of mine used to work for a re-conditioner's... He lasted about 3 days!!
(He's not the most patient of people!)

If it were me, I'd look into getting hold of a re-conditioned unit, some of them will even come with 12 month's guarantee.

God only knows how much a genuine new one would be from Volvo! :S

Steve

[bumble]

I don't know about the right pig issue.

It has been a few years but I have done 3 on past volvos using a bushes 'kit'. I recon - if you can still buy one for your alternater - that so long as you understand what the various part do and take it apart carefully you can save yourself a few quid..... try it. The worst that can happen is that you won't fix it and you will still have the unit for exchange if you are gona shell out.

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by Paul-C

Got rid of the AT oil leak so turning my attention to altenator's
Can anybody advise?
I think the altenator is starting to fail, I am getting around 13.2 to 13.5 volts from it and have been for some time but as the day's are getting colder and darker I think it will struggle to keep the battery topped up.
So the question is can replacement bushes be obtained and if so is it a reasonably easy job to do?
A second question should be is it worth it against obtaining a replacement unit?
The car is a 960 CD estate 3ltr 1996 model 160k
Thank's for any input
Paul-C

Funny (not to bust on you) but I suspected that this post was from someone in the US, as too many of us have falled 'victim' to the use of an apostrophe for pluralization.

That said, you did not say if you alternator output voltage is lower than before. Many perfectly good alternators only put out mid 13's voltage when fully loaded. However, replacing BRUSHES is pretty easy, if you can find the replacement parts, but replacing BUSHINGS is far, far more involved and for most would not be worth it. Note that worn out BUSHINGS would not result in lowered voltage, only high friction and/or noise/vibration when turning.

[Paul-C]

To clarify the origional post, it's brushes, not bushes that I meant to ask the question of, sorry about that.
The voltage today is 13.5V and I have seen it at 13.2V but I thought it would be in the high 13 to 14+Volts I would be reading for a good alternator
There is no concern electrically at the moment but I was pre-empting a possible problem when every thing electrical is working in the middle of winter.
Out of interest, can you get brushes easily?
Thank Paul-C

[narc]

Try Anglo Carbon they have all sorts of brushes so will probably have what you need.
Have to say it sounds more like a Voltage regulator issue rather than brushes, but the brushes will only cost pennies.

Best Regards

Ian

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by Paul-C

To clarify the origional post, it's brushes, not bushes that I meant to ask the question of, sorry about that.
The voltage today is 13.5V and I have seen it at 13.2V but I thought it would be in the high 13 to 14+Volts I would be reading for a good alternator
There is no concern electrically at the moment but I was pre-empting a possible problem when every thing electrical is working in the middle of winter.
Out of interest, can you get brushes easily?
Thank Paul-C

Although not in a Volvo, I have replaced brushes in a few alternators over the years, and narc is right, they are generally pretty cheap. Cheap enough that I would have a new set in hand before pulling the old ones for inspection.

Note that many stateside auto shops will gladly run a reliable bench test on your alternator for free. The test will reveal if the output voltage is within spec or not.

[treehorndogsbody]

I got a Volvo voltage regulator from ebay seller 'vehicleelectrics' in august for £9.99 plus postage. From the Volvo dealer it was a little short of £32.

[Paul-C]

If the voltage is decreasing how do you know which of the two is the problem brushes or regulator?
Do you change both items when you have the alternator on the bench?
Paul-C

[treehorndogsbody]

The brushes are attached to the regulator . See link

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-BOSCH-ALTE...item45f2011bf3

This is not the correct part,it is for illustration of a Bosch regulator. Replacement can done with unit on car if you have small hands.