Alternator problem??

[gupatrol]

G'day,

Just bought a 308 VK. The bloke said he put a new battery in a couple of weeks ago. And most of the time it struggles to start.

If ya drive for a decent distance, shut her down, then start it again later on the battery will have enough charge. But a short slow drive when cold, then shut down and start again after fueling up and it wont start. Doesnt need much power from a jump start to turn over again.

Is this my alternator not charging the battery or what??

Thanks a heap

[PRH]

first of all does the idiot light (alt light) come on when ya turn on ya ign ?with out the engine running,and does it go out after ya got it started.
If there is no light (stationary engine ign on )then disconnect the warning light from the alt (the small spade type terminal) short this to earth does the light come on if not there is a wiring problem or blown globe in the dash,if it comes on then ya alt is knackered.
I spose the other question would be,is the battery big enough ?
Otherwise take it to some one who knows what their doin and get it fixed.
Phillip

[crazywog]

id say get RACV to come and have a look there good at these jobs.

[vee ka]

replace the regulator in the alternator, mine was over charging and cooked one of my batteries but it can also make the alternator not charge. what does the volt meter on the dash read when running??

the regulator cost like $20 and takes 10min to replace including taking the alternator off. start with that.

[Huitzi]

Besides being an alternator prob ....sort that out first.
if the prob is still there the vk v8 has a drama with extractors overheating the starter motor,in this case you need to isolate the starter motor from that huge heat from the extractors (the heat will kill the starter motor and give the problems which you are describing perfectly) a heat sheild is required ,I use a heat sheild wrap around my starter moter and it works fine but if ya going a long trip remove it cos it will hold the the heat in when it gets really hot ....the other alternative is to fabricate a heat sheild to go between the starter motor and the exhaust.
I hope this helps.
Cheers

[gupatrol]

Thanks fellers.

vee ka,

It reads between 12 and 8 while driving, if ya give her a good boot it will read 12. Go to start it and it reads between 12 and 8 again. Needs to be on 12 to turn her over.

Also, what temp are most 308's running at??

Huitzi, where did ya get the heat sheild wrap from??

Thanks again.