Alternator issue (red hot)

Hi All,

I`ve had an electrical issue with my 1990 Cabriolet whereby the headlight switch, when put to position 1, would light up the fog lights. As it was the summer and i had 100 other jobs to do to the car, i only got around to checking it out today.

I removed the headlamp switch on the dash and dismantled it and gave it a good clean.

This car had sat for 8 years and was very damp when i bought it but the switch wasn`t in too bad a condition. I re-assmebled and still i had the same problem.

I checked and re-checked earths and everything looks as it should.

I then checked the alternator as i felt heat coming from somewhere.

The pulley wheel on the side of the alternator was very hot. Too hot to leave your finger tip on for any more than half a second. I spat on in and it sizzled.

Bearing in mind the engine hadn`t been running so the alternator wasn`t turning. The headlight switch had been on for 15 to 20 mins while i messed around. The key was in the barrel but ignition wasn`t on.#

Anyone experienced anything like this before?

The alternator is original (30 years old) so maybe its past it`s sell by date however i`m perplexed as to why it would heat up so much.

/edit Just noticed that if i put my main beam on (Blue Light on dash), the window wipers and heater fan comes on!

 

Admin i`ve just realised i`ve put this in the wrong section. Could it be moved please?

Apologies for the inconvenience.

Look into the Load reduction circuits.  All that you described are indications of the load reduction relay issue.

The "X" Circuit from the Ignition Switch. | VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum

Briano1234 said

Look into the Load reduction circuits.  All that you described are indications of the load reduction relay issue.

The "X" Circuit from the Ignition Switch. | VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum

Thanks Briano,

It certainly seems that way. It looks like i have 2 issues in that case. I`ll check the Load Reduction Relay issue first to see if it has any bearing on this heat issue i`m having with the alternator.

Thanks for the reply.