Ducato Alternator appears dead

Headrush

Headrush

Joined
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Hi all,

I started the van yesterday after a few months of sitting idle. Immediately the engine warning light came on. After a few minutes the tick over rose to 1100 rpm and just stayed there. Then after a few more minutes the battery warning light came on too. The van is on hook up so as soon as I turn it off the battery starts charging again.
I've put a meter on the battery with the engine running and it starts around 12.5v but steadily decreases.
I'm guessing it's the alternator but am facing several problems :

I can't tell the make, model or code of the alternator as its right at the back of the engine and my glasses don't work round corners.

Apparently this problem might be the regulator but to get spares I need the make model and code.

I've looked at prices for a replacement and they range from £100 (with £50 back on returning the old one) right up to over £550!

The earth strap seems fine, both ends are tight and the strap itself is clean and dry.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
It's a 2007 x250 2.3 130 engine, not sure if it's the slightly over 130hp model or the slightly under 130hp model.

I've seen remanufactured bosch alternators advertised for less than £150. Does that seem a realistic price?

Cheers
Alan
 
I had a problem with mine long story but give it a good rev and see what happen with the meter connected
 
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pagey said:
I had a problem with mine long story but give it a good rev and see what happen with the meter connected
Click to expand...
I already tried that. No change on the meter reading.
 
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TheBig1 said:
What year and engine? regulators are cheap. The one for the x250 up to 2012 is
Click to expand...
It's a 2007 x250 2.3 130 engine, not sure if it's the slightly over 130hp model or the slightly under 130hp model. But I've no way of knowing if it's the original alternator..
 
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Headrush said:
It's a 2007 x250 2.3 130 engine, not sure if it's the slightly over 130hp model or the slightly under 130hp model. But I've no way of knowing if it's the original alternator..
Click to expand...
They only fitted the one type early on, and not the high output version. If you google local alternator repairs there will be somebody local that refurbs them. Usually cheaper than buying second hand from a breakers yard and way cheaper than new

The hardest bit is removing and refitting the alternator because of where it is
 
Have you checked both earth cables , the engine to body one and the starter battery to body one ? Not just for tightness but also for good clean connections.
 
I’ve had a few occasions whereby my alter stops charging for no reason.

First time it happened I was searching for new bits like yourself, but I thought I’d check the circuit first. I simply disconnected the earth lead with the ignition off and reconnected and the alternator charged again. Happened to me twice now and a couple of years apart and cleared both times the same way.

Good luck.

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I thought starting the engine whilst on hook up was a no-no?
I had the same symptoms whilst driving on a 2007 130 2.3 and the alternator was replaced under warranty so never knew if it was the regulator or not.
 
We had the alternator fail not long after we started motorhoming - similar age/model to the OP and exact same symptoms - and the RAC breakdown service took us to their own base which incorporated a repair/service facility. Their engineer wouldn't order a replacement until he'd checked what was fitted, said there were four possible models. Got it delivered overnight while we stayed in their compound and he fitted it as soon as it arrived.
He did comment that it was possible to repair them, by which I think he meant the regulator, but told us the overall cost wouldn't be much less than an exchange replacement and as it was 30 December we'd have no chance of catching our ferry.

And the first question he asked was, is it an A-Class (it's not!).
 
If it's a braided earth cable in the engine bay....I would replace it (or use a battery type cable). But first test using a "jump-start cable with croc clips" between engine block and chassis earth to check if it makes any difference.

The braiding might appear to be in good condition but it's impossible to tell from a visual inspection.

The braided earth cable is well known to cause electrical problems.

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As has already been mentioned have you checked that the drive belt is still in place ?
 
Thanks for the replies.
Yes, I've checked everything is in place and functioning. I've got it booked in to our local garage now as I've discovered that the grinding noise on the front brakes is due to a completely knackered disk, plus it needs an oil and filter change.
Hopefully the traffic lights will all be green as the battery runs down in about 10 minutes...
 

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