1993 240. I've just replaced the brushes in my alternator. All went well but I still have dash lights lit up.
Is this normal or is there something else?
Are the new brushes bedding in?
Video for visual description.
Cheers
Something doesn't seem correct. Re-check your alternator connections. If the problem persists, check back here.
Does the dash light up normally when the key is in the 'on' position but the engine isn't running? I.e. the excited wire has been plugged in. Remembered to reattached the earth wire between the alternator and the block?
VolvoHordz Yes, all the usual lights come on.
Yes everything is connected and in the right place.
I didn't check the earth to block but I did check earth to alt connection. I have cleaned all the connections to the alt.
It might be time to pull out the multimeter.
You're using a OE type globe and not an LED for the alt light?
Major Ledfoot i don't think it's LED but i'll check
Hmm interesting… So was this happening prior to swapping out the brushes? Perhaps there is a bigger issue with the alternator.
VolvoHordz Yes it was.
VolvoHordz I was hoping it might be just a "bedding in" period for the new brushes
Recommend measuring voltage between battery terminals with and without engine running. Voltage should be higher with engine running. If not, alternator has no (or low) output as warning lights are indicating.
Do check that alternator case is connected to engine block and engine block is connected to chassis using Ohm meter.
And if in any doubt undo the alternator and skip down to the auto elec. They’ll quickly put in a machine, spin it up and …. verdict.
Takes about 2min.
A damaged alternator will blow bulbs and cause other havoc.
Engine not running
With engine running.
Battery looks like it's do really well running the car on it's own without any help at all from the alternator.
Verify the grounds if not already done. The only other things you might check is the spring contacts on the brush assembly. Verify they were not accidentally bent or otherwise damaged upon installation and of course that the exciter wire has 12V on it at the alternator, engine running.
My car hates me.
I replaced the Alt with the one in my sedan.
The alt is now charging at 12.20- 12.03 with the. ar running .Is that within spec?
But now only the Lamda and o/d shift light illuminate.
Is that OK/NORMAL.? Cheers
Ramrodfunk But now only the Lamda and o/d shift light illuminate.
Is that OK/NORMAL.?
No. There's still something screwy going on, either with the alt, the wiring, or the cluster,
Major Ledfoot I'm getting 1-4-4 error code now.
Ramrodfunk I'm getting 1-4-4 error code now.
From the EZ-K? Uh oh.
Bad fuel injection relay; faulty wiring from LH to EZK; bad LH module
https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/EngineOBDCodes.html
There's no 1-4-4 from the ECU.
No, an alternator output of 12V is not right. If the alternator were working its output would be 14V. An alternator is a simple device that doesn't care about fancy computers. It only cares about a ground to the negative battery terminal and 12V on the exciter wire. The voltage regulator on the brush assembly maintains the alternators output as the RPM changes.
Nah don't get sidetracked by the EZK until you figure the alternator problem out (if your supply voltages are wrong, your computers are the electronic equivalent of drunk). The alternator is a simple machine, it needs a circuit with the battery and it needs the exciter to supply the 12V field voltage required to kick it into gear.
If your battery warning lamp is on when the engine is stopped, and goes out when the engine is running, that suggests the alternator is at least somewhat functional. You may have parasitic losses from wiring problems.
It looks like you are testing voltages across the battery terminals. You should test the voltages using the terminals on the back of the alternator, and use the alternator chassis itself as your ground reference. If you do that, and the numbers look normal, you've ruled out the alternator itself and most likely have a wiring issue.
I have some spare voltage regulators if you want to try another one.
I repaired a voltage regulator with new brushes and replaced the one on the Alt this morning.
It started fine, well ok. When I started the car the offending dash lights were on but I gave the engine a little rev and they disappeared, I'm mean completely not even a slight glow. I left my multi meter in my apartment so I'm going down stairs now to check voltages.
