Replace Alternator Regulator or Alternator?

Skinjam · 29th September 2019, 10:45

Hi all,

Sadly, my Rover 75 started displaying the red battery warning light, first flickering on at idle and disappearing when revving to now staying on full time.

I have checked the voltage and with the car off the battery is displaying 12.5v and with it on, 12.1v so the battery is not being charged. I've been reading on the forums that it is possible to just replace the regulator and that should resolve the issue but will that always be the case?

Is there a way to tell if the entire alternator needs replacing or just the regulator? As purchasing the regulator and then for the problem to still be afoot seems like it would cost more time and money than just replacing the alternator, but of course I would definitely prefer it to just be the regulator!

This is the replacement that I was looking at though oddly my car is a 2001, but seems to have a 2-pin connector (unless I'm blind), is this normal or am I looking at the wrong plug?

Also, if I do need to change the entire alternator, does anyone have a recommendation on where I can purchase one? I have looked on Eurocarparts but they're asking £185.99 + my broken alternator, this seems quite expensive for one.

Edit: Would this alternator fit?

My Rover:
Early 2001, Saloon, 2 litre diesel and 155k miles.
I do not know if the alternator has ever been replaced.

marinabrian · 29th September 2019, 14:50

From the description of the fault, all you need is something along these lines.......LINK

In all likelihood if you are capable of removing and replacing the regulator, then you will be more than able to replace the brushes on their own.

One brush wears faster than the other, and provided the rotor sliprings are in decent order, then the brushes are all that will need replacing normally.

The other problems to be found with the diesel alternator are oil being spilled into the stator windings, which can damage the shellac coating on the windings, this is normally the only fault necessitating alternator replacement

Brian

COLVERT · 29th September 2019, 15:48

Brush replacement it the best and cheapest option IF--------------------you don't run the car too long with the red light on.

At this point the brushes will be arcing against the slip rings inside the alternator and BURNING them away.--

If this happens you will need a complete new unit.

Sometimes getting one from a breakers and refurbishing it before re-fitting might be a lot cheaper than a whole new unit.---

Skinjam · 29th September 2019, 18:08

Thanks for the responses, I decided to spend more time looking at my alternator and noticed that it was covered in oil, the engine oil level was fine so I checked the power steering fluid and it was almost empty!

So I believe the issue is that power steering fluid has leaked into the alternator, stopping it from working.

As I'm very reliant on my car to get to work I haven't got much time to spend on this issue, so I'm going to contact my garage tomorrow and tell them what I've learnt and hope they can fix the issue fast but I don't suspect it'll be cheap

marinabrian · 29th September 2019, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skinjam

Thanks for the responses, I decided to spend more time looking at my alternator and noticed that it was covered in oil, the engine oil level was fine so I checked the power steering fluid and it was almost empty!

So I believe the issue is that power steering fluid has leaked into the alternator, stopping it from working.

As I'm very reliant on my car to get to work I haven't got much time to spend on this issue, so I'm going to contact my garage tomorrow and tell them what I've learnt and hope they can fix the issue fast but I don't suspect it'll be cheap

Four hours labour, plus the cost of the alternator

Allow them to source the alternator too, you want both parts and labour warranty on a job like this if you are not doing it yourself

Brian

COLVERT · 29th September 2019, 19:48

There is a How-To on here that explains how to do the job from above though they will have to work through the wheel arch to release the belt tensioner. ( Needs a vey slim spanner )( Print the How-To )

Mike Noc can probably give you some info also as he did his that way.---

genpk · 30th September 2019, 11:00

given that you say the alternator has got a lot of power steering fluid in it, before pulling it out, id try a can of spray degreaser, spray down into the alternator, wash it out with water, leave it dry of air hose it dry and see if it cleans the brushes and starts working again.
Worth a try.
If not do the replacement.
Ive re brushed a couple and replaced the slip rings on a couple.
Out of the four units, two had ok slip rings, the other two the brushes had cut to deep so needed slip ring, regulator and brushes.

29th September 2019, 10:45	#1
Skinjam Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon CDT Club SE 2001 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Sittingbourne Posts: 117 Thanks: 53 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Replace Alternator Regulator or Alternator? Hi all, Sadly, my Rover 75 started displaying the red battery warning light, first flickering on at idle and disappearing when revving to now staying on full time. I have checked the voltage and with the car off the battery is displaying 12.5v and with it on, 12.1v so the battery is not being charged. I've been reading on the forums that it is possible to just replace the regulator and that should resolve the issue but will that always be the case? Is there a way to tell if the entire alternator needs replacing or just the regulator? As purchasing the regulator and then for the problem to still be afoot seems like it would cost more time and money than just replacing the alternator, but of course I would definitely prefer it to just be the regulator! This is the replacement that I was looking at though oddly my car is a 2001, but seems to have a 2-pin connector (unless I'm blind), is this normal or am I looking at the wrong plug? Also, if I do need to change the entire alternator, does anyone have a recommendation on where I can purchase one? I have looked on Eurocarparts but they're asking £185.99 + my broken alternator, this seems quite expensive for one. Edit: Would this alternator fit? My Rover: Early 2001, Saloon, 2 litre diesel and 155k miles. I do not know if the alternator has ever been replaced. Last edited by Skinjam; 29th September 2019 at 11:17..

29th September 2019, 14:50	#2
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	From the description of the fault, all you need is something along these lines.......LINK In all likelihood if you are capable of removing and replacing the regulator, then you will be more than able to replace the brushes on their own. One brush wears faster than the other, and provided the rotor sliprings are in decent order, then the brushes are all that will need replacing normally. The other problems to be found with the diesel alternator are oil being spilled into the stator windings, which can damage the shellac coating on the windings, this is normally the only fault necessitating alternator replacement Brian

29th September 2019, 15:48	#3
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Brush replacement it the best and cheapest option IF--------------------you don't run the car too long with the red light on. At this point the brushes will be arcing against the slip rings inside the alternator and BURNING them away.-- If this happens you will need a complete new unit. Sometimes getting one from a breakers and refurbishing it before re-fitting might be a lot cheaper than a whole new unit.---

29th September 2019, 18:08	#4
Skinjam Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon CDT Club SE 2001 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Sittingbourne Posts: 117 Thanks: 53 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for the responses, I decided to spend more time looking at my alternator and noticed that it was covered in oil, the engine oil level was fine so I checked the power steering fluid and it was almost empty! So I believe the issue is that power steering fluid has leaked into the alternator, stopping it from working. As I'm very reliant on my car to get to work I haven't got much time to spend on this issue, so I'm going to contact my garage tomorrow and tell them what I've learnt and hope they can fix the issue fast but I don't suspect it'll be cheap

29th September 2019, 19:48	#6
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	There is a How-To on here that explains how to do the job from above though they will have to work through the wheel arch to release the belt tensioner. ( Needs a vey slim spanner )( Print the How-To ) Mike Noc can probably give you some info also as he did his that way.---

30th September 2019, 11:00	#7
genpk Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon MGZT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA Posts: 1,664 Thanks: 3 Thanked 461 Times in 299 Posts	given that you say the alternator has got a lot of power steering fluid in it, before pulling it out, id try a can of spray degreaser, spray down into the alternator, wash it out with water, leave it dry of air hose it dry and see if it cleans the brushes and starts working again. Worth a try. If not do the replacement. Ive re brushed a couple and replaced the slip rings on a couple. Out of the four units, two had ok slip rings, the other two the brushes had cut to deep so needed slip ring, regulator and brushes.