Alternator compatability

Patrick Garland · Feb 22nd, 2006, 23:48

My step-son has a 240GL 1989 G reg 2 litre and the battery goes flat after a day or so. It is a brand new battery. I suspect the alternator, although he says the battery warning light has not come on. He lives 150 miles away but I was planning on visiting him next week. I have a 240DL 1988 F reg 2.3litre. Does anyone know if the alternators are likely to be the same so I could swap them over when I visit and drive back with the faulty one and get it repaired/replaced at my leisure. He has taken it to 2 garages and they both say the fault is with the alternator and are quoting £200 to sort it which I thought was a bit steep. I let him have the GL recently and you know how it is when you let someone have your old car and then it packs up you feel guilty and just want to get it fixed !!

Thanks in advance.

Clifford Pope · Feb 23rd, 2006, 08:13

If they are both the later kind with integral regulator built into the back of the alternator, they are all interchangeable. The only difference is in the output - earlier ones were 55 amp, later 65, 80, even 100 I think. That doesn't matter unless you really have loads of accessories on all the time on dark stop-start journeys.

Very early ones had a separate regulator mounted on the wing, so you would need to swap that too.

Check the condition of the wiring behind the bracket while you have it off - notorious spot for corroded cables causing all kinds of problems, non-charging, flickering lights, burning smell! Careful with the thick red one - it is always live, connecting straight to the starter motor and then the battery.

Mike_Brace · Feb 26th, 2006, 10:24

The usual failure of the alternators is the brushes - cheap and easy to replace.

Mike

Patrick Garland · Mar 6th, 2006, 19:57

Just to conclude this item. Yes, it was the bushes. In the end we removed the faulty alternator and took it to a vehicle electrical garage. They tested it then replaced the bushes - £18 for the bushes, £10 labour and £5 Vat, job done for £33, a saving of £167. Alternator was back the same day, very good service. Did need vast quantities of Swarfega after refitting but a relatively straightforward job. I just wish he had a garage and didn't live on a main road. Very disconcerting to have your head in the engine compartment and one's rear end so close to passing juggernauts !!

Mike_Brace · Mar 7th, 2006, 09:55

Glad you are sorted and still have your rear end!

Mike

Feb 22nd, 2006, 23:48	#1
Patrick Garland Patrick Last Online: Sep 30th, 2022 00:07 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Clarbeston Road	Alternator compatability My step-son has a 240GL 1989 G reg 2 litre and the battery goes flat after a day or so. It is a brand new battery. I suspect the alternator, although he says the battery warning light has not come on. He lives 150 miles away but I was planning on visiting him next week. I have a 240DL 1988 F reg 2.3litre. Does anyone know if the alternators are likely to be the same so I could swap them over when I visit and drive back with the faulty one and get it repaired/replaced at my leisure. He has taken it to 2 garages and they both say the fault is with the alternator and are quoting £200 to sort it which I thought was a bit steep. I let him have the GL recently and you know how it is when you let someone have your old car and then it packs up you feel guilty and just want to get it fixed !! Thanks in advance.

Feb 26th, 2006, 10:24	#3
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	The usual failure of the alternators is the brushes - cheap and easy to replace. Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Mar 7th, 2006, 09:55	#5
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	Glad you are sorted and still have your rear end! Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Feb 23rd, 2006, 08:13	#2
Clifford Pope Not an expert but ... Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 12:45 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boncath	If they are both the later kind with integral regulator built into the back of the alternator, they are all interchangeable. The only difference is in the output - earlier ones were 55 amp, later 65, 80, even 100 I think. That doesn't matter unless you really have loads of accessories on all the time on dark stop-start journeys. Very early ones had a separate regulator mounted on the wing, so you would need to swap that too. Check the condition of the wiring behind the bracket while you have it off - notorious spot for corroded cables causing all kinds of problems, non-charging, flickering lights, burning smell! Careful with the thick red one - it is always live, connecting straight to the starter motor and then the battery.

Mar 6th, 2006, 19:57	#4
Patrick Garland Patrick Last Online: Sep 30th, 2022 00:07 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Clarbeston Road	Just to conclude this item. Yes, it was the bushes. In the end we removed the faulty alternator and took it to a vehicle electrical garage. They tested it then replaced the bushes - £18 for the bushes, £10 labour and £5 Vat, job done for £33, a saving of £167. Alternator was back the same day, very good service. Did need vast quantities of Swarfega after refitting but a relatively straightforward job. I just wish he had a garage and didn't live on a main road. Very disconcerting to have your head in the engine compartment and one's rear end so close to passing juggernauts !!

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