Altenator advice please

Hi All,

Can someone please tell me what altenator I need for an 89 GTI cab (DX engine code) I'm having issues with mine not holding a charge as I can no only start the car with a set of jump leads. The battery looks good (approx 18 months old)  I've check the wires, cables, earth straps etc cleaned up the bettery terminals, plus the starter motor is only about a year old so my next stop is the alernator ???

Any help / advice is welcome as I can't really use the car at all as I can't start it again once I've stopped and the local petrol station seems to take a dim view of me breaking down on their forecourt everytime I need to fill up, which is now as I ended up running on fumes last weekend !

Cheers.

you can check whats going on with the alternator

if the car is running you should be getting a good 14v across the = and - termanials of the battery using a multimeter

As above. 
Paul do you have an immobiliser of any sort? 

Check what voltage you are getting at the battery when the engine is running, if below 14v clean the alternator regulator connections and if the bushes are worn out replace it,

They only cost £12.50.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MARK-MK-1-2-SCIROCCO-BOSCH-ALTERNATOR-VOLTAGE-REGULATOR-C694-NEW-/371049330563?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5664437783

You can mine was a little worn out!




 

golfcabrio said

As above. 
Paul do you have an immobiliser of any sort? 

Hi Mike,  I stripped the alarm system out ages ago as it was shot to pieces and kept going off on its own  

mark1gls said

Check what voltage you are getting at the battery when the engine is running, if below 14v clean the alternator regulator connections and if the bushes are worn out replace it,

They only cost £12.50.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MARK-MK-1-2-SCIROCCO-BOSCH-ALTERNATOR-VOLTAGE-REGULATOR-C694-NEW-/371049330563?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5664437783

You can mine was a little worn out!




 

Cheers, I'll ty to have a look at the weekend (weather permitting)

Paul if the regulator is ok and all the wiring then it's the battery mate. 

Like you it's getting old, not totally shot but just can't handle it anymore!   

There's a couple of Regulator packs mine has the later Pack being a 1991.
Measure Voltage between battery terminals engine running and from the + ouput on the alternator connection. That way if there's a big difference between the 2 it could be down to duff connection or poor conductivity through the cable.

Fathammer said

The battery looks good (approx 18 months old)  

Have you tested the battery? Looks and age mean nothing. If it's been discharged and left that way for any period of time it'll have sulphated.

Especially in cold weather it kills batteries.
I take my battery out of the car during winter.

also make sure battery light is on with ignition then goes out when started. if not check blue wire from alt to the spade near battery +