Help with Cutting Out (and Alternator)

[Steve Gee]

Hi All,

 

Problem 1.

In performing a "kill" of three hot hatches in a row, (they were in convoy are were NOT happy) the car hit 120 no problem. But then it cut out, (lost power) momentarily and then cut back in, and within two seconds cut again. It did this four times! I then decelerated and all was fine, and has been since. It was as if I was hitting a limiter, but I was nowhere near that kind of revs, and I've been way faster than that before. Any ideas?

 

Problem 2

Now that the dark mornings and nights are on us, I noticed my lights brighten when engine revs are taken over 1500 revs. I've measured the voltage across the battery at tickover with no electrical load at 13.6V. However with electrical load it drops to 12.5 and sometimes lower. Some times in the mornings the Heated Rear Window won't stay on, until I turn my lights off! So it looks like alternator is on the way out. Anyone replaced one before? How difficult and how much are they to buy?

 

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

[Thorin]

Problem 1 : Speed limiter (edited because I read you had been faster before, so your speed delimiter is probably borked).

 

Problem 2 : er, no idea.

[Guest Martin F]

Problem 2: Could be a battery with a dead cell or similar, get the battery checked first. If it's really old you may just want to swap it out anyway.

[Steve Cargill]

Problem 1, did you get a red triangle in the middle of the dashboard when it happened. If so could well be fuel cut. What state of tune is your car in?

[jagman]

problem 2 could be alternator brushes worn ...cheap fix

[Steve Gee]

Does "borked" mean broken? (or words to that effect!!)

 

The car never has a problem turning over or starting, so I had ruled out the battery, but will get it tested.

 

There were no warning lights at all.

 

How difficult is the alternator to remove. From underneath I would think?

 

Thanks for the replies.

Steve

[Steve Gee]

Whoops, forgot!

 

The car is standard, apart from straight through exhaust and Ramair panel filter. I run it on Optimax as much as possible.

 

Cheers

Steve

[roboldham]

Problem 1:

 

You didn't say so but I bet you a tenner you were very low on fuel when you performed your multi-kill.

 

I had EXACTLY the same problem (although it was at 145!) - and thought it was fuel cut - but mine is stock so wouldnt have got to that level, and I haven't been able to replicate since.

 

I have spoken to a couple of others with same issue - and it always happened at low fuel levels - vapour pocket?

 

R

[Steve Gee]

I can't remember what my fuel situation was at the time, but I'll monitor it from now on.

 

I've tested my battery and it still show 11V while constantly turning the engine over. So looks like I'll have to whip the alternator out. Has anyone done this before? How difficult?

 

Thanks.

[Terminator]

It will not be simple thats for sure, probably find you have to take have the car apart;)

 

I have had batteries start the car OK but give dim lights etc, when checked with a tester, one cell was on the way out.