[-Brad]

Hi all,

Just into the patrol a moment ago, started her up and noticed a bad smell. Lifted the bonnet to see part of my alt glowing red hot and a bad burning plastic smell. I assume this is an internal short with the windings.

Has anyone experienced this before?

This is my 3rd aftermarket alternator from Patrolapart in 4 years so I guess I'm going back to genuine.

Cheers


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[-Brad]

Interestingly the copper has turned black but I can't find any signs of what may have been melting unless it was beginning to melt its own shell.. or perhaps the voltage regulator is being melted?

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[rgren2]

The black is the burnt varnish used a insulation.

 

[Yendor]

It will be the varnish burning you could smell.

 

[-Brad]

Thanks guys, is it likely an internal fault with the winding do you think?

 

[rgren2]

There will be a short circuit somewhere. The alternator is stuffed. Once that insulating varnish is burnt, you have a new sinker for deep sea fishing.

 

[-Brad]

There will be a short circuit somewhere. The alternator is stuffed. Once that insulating varnish is burnt, you have a new sinker for deep sea fishing.

Thanks mate. Do you think there's any need to have an auto elec check the wiring or just put a new one in?

 

[rgren2]

New is the go. Old one goes straight to the pool room.

 

[-Brad]

New is the go. Old one goes straight to the pool room.

Thanks mate much appreciated

 

[geeyoutoo]

Hi all,

Just into the patrol a moment ago, started her up and noticed a bad smell. Lifted the bonnet to see part of my alt glowing red hot and a bad burning plastic smell. I assume this is an internal short with the windings.

Has anyone experienced this before?

This is my 3rd aftermarket alternator from Patrolapart in 4 years so I guess I'm going back to genuine.

Cheers


Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

3 in 4 years! Before spending any more money get the system checked, there should not be that much difference to a Patrolapart alt, something weird is going on there.

 

[-Brad]

3 in 4 years! Before spending any more money get the system checked, there should not be that much difference to a Patrolapart alt, something weird is going on there.

You might remember one of those alternators was me washing the engine bay with the motor running 🤪

But you're right.. 2 genuine failures in 4 years ain't good

 

[GQshayne]

I would be looking for a fault before sacrificing another alternator.

 

[-Brad]

I would be looking for a fault before sacrificing another alternator.

Where would you start looking Shayne?

 

[geeyoutoo]

Where would you start looking Shayne?

At an auto electrician at this stage, unless your fully fluent with electronics and potential failures.

 

[GQshayne]

Geeyoutoo is right, an auto elec is a good option.

If I was looking myself I would be concentrating on connections in the circuit, including earths. Bad connections or damaged wiring create electrical resistance, which in turn creates heat. Looks to me like you have a serious problem, so whatever it is appears to be putting a very large load onto the alternator.

 

[Overboard]

Does any of the external wiring to the alternator look heat affected?

 

[-Brad]

Does any of the external wiring to the alternator look heat affected?

Not that I noticed. I put a new alternator in last night and I'll run the car down to the auto elec next week

 

[Yendor]

Any signs that the old alternator was overcharging before the melt down? Battery boiling? dash/headlights getting brighter when engine revs increased?

Did the alternator start making a strange growing noise before the melt down?

Check the wires in the two pin plug at the alternator aren't broken.

 

[-Brad]

Any signs that the old alternator was overcharging before the melt down? Battery boiling? dash/headlights getting brighter when engine revs increased?

Did the alternator start making a strange growing noise before the melt down?

Check the wires in the two pin plug at the alternator aren't broken.

The only thing that was out of the ordinary was it was a very hot day down here (38c). It may be all in my head but the car sounds quieter and has more grunt with the new one... but then again that could be in my head

 

[rgren2]

I’d be pulling the old one apart and having a look, don’t worry if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you will see the obvious.