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Alternator issue (red hot)

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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!

 

Last edit: by McRod

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

Apologies for the inconvenience.

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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

What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?

They all start with GOOD Grounds.

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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.
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