charging problem

moparcm

Member
Hi all i have a small problem with my NH Paj.
My battery was low on water so i filled it up about a week and a half ago
went well for a day or two then the charge light and oil light kept coming
on on the dash.It was also not charging to full capicity.This was an intermitin problem that would happen when i started car and about 2 minutes later the lights would go of and then it would charge fully.Then on satdy the lights wouldnt go off at all and it wouldnt charge properly.So i thought i would get the battery checked.It was stuffed it had dropped a cell.So i got a new one and now the lights wont go off and it still wont charge to full capacity.Also a light in the 4wd selector has come on.This light has never come on b4.I have put a picture to show which one.
Could this be a faulty alternator or something else?
I put a ammeter on the battery while it was running and it was around 12.4 volts.
Any help apreciated.
 

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kruzaman

Member
It sounds like the brushes or regulator on your alternator are on their wayout, most of your lights that come on when you turn your key on before you start the vehicle use the alternator system to check their operation, when the vehicle starts they will normal go out if there is no faults. When your alternator or charging system start to fail these lights will start to come on. Most good battery testers can now also test your alternator and charging systems. Do you have dual batteries on you vehicle?
Kruzaman.
 
there is a simple check on your alternator
- start the motor - switch everything (really everything) on that uses power
- take your multimeter and measure the power on your battery
- it should be about 12.5 minimum if not the alternator isn't working properly ;o)
cheers
Tom
 

Jarh73

New Member
I put a ammeter on the battery while it was running and it was around 12.4 volts.
.


I think he has already found is problem 12.4 volts is not enough it should be 13.5 Volts or higher.

Check all wiring to and from the altenator but ideally remove it and take it to an Auto Electrician.

Cheers

Justin
 

mudtiera

Member
all so to check your altenator start your car and disconnect your battery if it dies its your altenator only works on petrol though
 

Brisey

Member
all so to check your altenator start your car and disconnect your battery if it dies its your altenator only works on petrol though

This is not recomended as the alternator can put out up to 90 - 110 volts if the battery is disconnected & the voltage spike can fry the computer.

Cheers

Bri
 

bmurray2250

4x4 Earth Contributer
It sounds the alternator is your problem. The way to check is measure the battery without the engine started, it should be 12v roughly. Start the motor and idle it around 1500 RPM, it should put out close to 14V, if not the alternator has the problem. Most likely the brushes need replacing. If you can remove it from the motor and know how to dis-assembly and re-assemble the unit, it should cost 10 - 20 dollars from a auto electrician for the brushes. If you are not sure get them to replace it.
 

seehuusen

New Member
Hi all i have a small problem with my NH Paj.
My battery was low on water so i filled it up about a week and a half ago
went well for a day or two then the charge light and oil light kept coming
on on the dash.It was also not charging to full capicity.This was an intermitin problem that would happen when i started car and about 2 minutes later the lights would go of and then it would charge fully.Then on satdy the lights wouldnt go off at all and it wouldnt charge properly.So i thought i would get the battery checked.It was stuffed it had dropped a cell.So i got a new one and now the lights wont go off and it still wont charge to full capacity.Also a light in the 4wd selector has come on.This light has never come on b4.I have put a picture to show which one.
Could this be a faulty alternator or something else?
I put a ammeter on the battery while it was running and it was around 12.4 volts.
Any help apreciated.

Hey Mate :)

To me that sounds exactly like an alternator problem... I'm not too familiar with Patrols, but on my patrol, if I dip the whole lot in mud and the alternator carks it, I have the battery and oil lamps on straight away. Further, you said the battery charge is 12.4V, I'm fairly certain that it should be up around the 14V mark when it's charging.

I'd check all your electrical connections and the fan belt tension, if all seems good, take it to an auto electrician, or you could just buy a second hand alternator and hope for the best :)

Good luck mate, electricity in cars are a ***** :p
 

gone bush

New Member
I know this is an old thread but rather than start a new one thought I'd post here.

I had a charging problem that was sorted out today, BUT something I'd not seen before, it was overcharging, I'd pulled up and heard a hissing noise abit like an air leak.

Upon opening the bonnent here sits this battery that looks like the guy off monty python just before he stuffs down that last shrimp. I put the multi meter on and with lights, UHF, dvd player and everything else on it was still putting 18.0 volts into her. So thought that it had to be either a diode or the regulator.

Took the old girl into the doctors and it was the regulator, so some new belts as well and almost 400 clams later all fixed, still cheaper than a new alternator I guess.

Cheers
 

Alien d2

4x4 Earth Contributer
I know this is an old thread but rather than start a new one thought I'd post here.

I had a charging problem that was sorted out today, BUT something I'd not seen before, it was overcharging, I'd pulled up and heard a hissing noise abit like an air leak.

Upon opening the bonnent here sits this battery that looks like the guy off monty python just before he stuffs down that last shrimp. I put the multi meter on and with lights, UHF, dvd player and everything else on it was still putting 18.0 volts into her. So thought that it had to be either a diode or the regulator.

Took the old girl into the doctors and it was the regulator, so some new belts as well and almost 400 clams later all fixed, still cheaper than a new alternator I guess.

Cheers
Lucky the battery didn't go BOOM:eek:

Don't often hear of them over charging but at least the headlights would have been bright.
Good to see it was a easy repair.
Check your battery fluid levels too, it might have boiled a little bit of acid off.
 

gone bush

New Member
Lucky the battery didn't go BOOM:eek:

Check your battery fluid levels too, it might have boiled a little bit of acid off.

Yeah lucky, have checked fluids but the battery still looks a bit overweight, got a spare in the vehicle in case it does drop a cell now. Next step is to read up on dual battery systems before I buy a car fridge.
 
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