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Post by Monkey on Apr 3, 2015 20:16:49 GMT 1
The reason i mentioned older alternators is in the past i have fitted s/h alt off early car with separate injector control module to a later combined type and couldnt get a feedback signal just astraight voltage not being pulled down by alternator,fit a later one and all ok .. without checking i am not sure if the early modules use a different votage level and frequency compared to later ones ? if the alternator doesnt pull the feedback line down or at the right frequency you get the warning light [ mystery light] That's interesting to know!
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Stilo
Apprentice
Posts: 1,536
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Post by Stilo on Apr 3, 2015 23:06:09 GMT 1
I had to replace the alternator in our Cmax a few years back. The new one was the exact same as the previous one but occasionally the battery light would come on at tickover and go out after a short while. Checks on all leads, connectors etc drew a blank. The PCM had a software update later on for a separate issue and I noticed the battery warning light never came back on again. Perhaps the gremlin was software related...?
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Post by valhalla on Apr 3, 2015 23:42:51 GMT 1
I don't know how the PCM internal software works on the TDCi engines. It would be logical to suppose that the PCM has a lower battery voltage threshold that compares the immediate voltage against the stored voltage from start-up, then bungs the light on if the limit is exceeded? I doubt that Ford use the current draw on the voltage sense line (pin3) as a "normal" alternator would do, because in the diagram for the Mondeo, it is a 30-line supply straight through a fuse and onwards to the alternator. And that would be far too logical, when it's worked for 30years previously on everything under the sun with an alternator.
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Stilo
Apprentice
Posts: 1,536
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Post by Stilo on Apr 4, 2015 0:46:34 GMT 1
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Post by mayfly on Apr 4, 2015 10:43:09 GMT 1
Very interesting reading Stilo
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Post by valhalla on Apr 4, 2015 14:25:59 GMT 1
Useful link also for some of the other tips, like a manual method of sorting-out TPMS on mid-2000's Passats.
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Post by valhalla on Apr 8, 2015 22:49:55 GMT 1
Well, it looks like I'm going to get a chance to try some of my "bright" ideas out - the alternator order was cancelled, due to having a suffix DD, not CD when the stores-guy picked it. Unsure as to whether the new one is compatible, I have put it to Mr. Customer that I could have a go (for not much time or money) to repair his present unit in-situ, and put the regulator remotely. If it works, I'll let everyone know!!!
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Stilo
Apprentice
Posts: 1,536
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Post by Stilo on Apr 8, 2015 23:08:38 GMT 1
What's the significance of the different suffixes?
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Post by valhalla on Apr 9, 2015 22:47:05 GMT 1
What's the significance of the different suffixes? I have little idea myself! The illustrations look the same where they have been photographed, but no doubt somebody here would know.... I asked the dealer concerned with this part, but got no response.
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Post by Noberator on Apr 9, 2015 23:12:20 GMT 1
What's the significance of the different suffixes? I have little idea myself! The illustrations look the same where they have been photographed, but no doubt somebody here would know.... I asked the dealer concerned with this part, but got no response. The difference between DD and CD is the shape of the bearing IIRC hence not interchangeable.
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Post by valhalla on Apr 13, 2015 23:37:42 GMT 1
Put the regulator on the old alternator today - had to do it in-situ, as the belt was just too short to be able to get it back on again reliably, if you see what I mean.
Anyway, I ran out of time to do the remote position of the regulator, and as it happened, I found that the old one had probably not fried, but come adrift on some of the fixings inside the alternator. It appeared that whoever had overhauled the present unit had been a bit hamfisted with some of the screws, which had started to strip the female threads in the main alternator castings - one was certainly loose. On the basis that the old regulator would not have enjoyed being partially disconnected in use, I put the new pattern item on (bodging the screws to give a few more useful threads as I went).
Result was that the alternator now charges, but only in "not-smart" mode, so the alternator lamp still comes on the dash. I explained the finer details to Mr. Customer, who's happy his car is going to carry on for a few more months yet, and doesn't mind the warning lamp on the dash. To be frank, the car is not running well at all (it is a Ford diesel after all....) and misfires at idle, so loads of spare fuel down the exhaust and catalyst next the alternator... Added to which the battery is still the dying old lead-acid unit. In this case, if he's happy, I'm happy.
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Post by Noberator on Apr 14, 2015 10:54:07 GMT 1
Put the regulator on the old alternator today - had to do it in-situ, as the belt was just too short to be able to get it back on again reliably, if you see what I mean. Anyway, I ran out of time to do the remote position of the regulator, and as it happened, I found that the old one had probably not fried, but come adrift on some of the fixings inside the alternator. It appeared that whoever had overhauled the present unit had been a bit hamfisted with some of the screws, which had started to strip the female threads in the main alternator castings - one was certainly loose. On the basis that the old regulator would not have enjoyed being partially disconnected in use, I put the new pattern item on (bodging the screws to give a few more useful threads as I went). Result was that the alternator now charges, but only in "not-smart" mode, so the alternator lamp still comes on the dash. I explained the finer details to Mr. Customer, who's happy his car is going to carry on for a few more months yet, and doesn't mind the warning lamp on the dash. To be frank, the car is not running well at all (it is a Ford diesel after all....) and misfires at idle, so loads of spare fuel down the exhaust and catalyst next the alternator... Added to which the battery is still the dying old lead-acid unit. In this case, if he's happy, I'm happy. Sounds to me like it's not far off ready for China.
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Post by valhalla on Apr 14, 2015 22:44:14 GMT 1
Sounds to me like it's not far off ready for China. Precisely and delicately put there! It's a shame really, but there are a few little things around the car that all add-up to an uneconomic experience. Suspension joints, engine running, charging system, bit of corrosion, body fixtures, etc. etc. All on a '55 Mondeo that just happens to be a TDCi. It would be a good project for someone, after it fails its next MoT, but there are better cars going to the scrappies already.....
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Post by Noberator on Apr 14, 2015 23:20:05 GMT 1
Sounds to me like it's not far off ready for China. Precisely and delicately put there! It's a shame really, but there are a few little things around the car that all add-up to an uneconomic experience. Suspension joints, engine running, charging system, bit of corrosion, body fixtures, etc. etc. All on a '55 Mondeo that just happens to be a TDCi. It would be a good project for someone, after it fails its next MoT, but there are better cars going to the scrappies already..... Could well up as a money pit IMO.
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