I think my Alternators gone !!!!

[Ollie]

Hi folks, 2 days ago i went for a spin in my MGZS 1.8 120 and parked up in the supermarket car park. On returning the car would only make a rapid ''clicking'' noise when i tried to start it. The breakdown man arrived and applied the power pack - the car started. Checking across the poles he said he thought it was just a ''naffed'' battery i.e. not holding charge. I managed to get home ( 4.5 miles ).
I purchased a new battery, fitted it and the car started up straight away.
I thought i'd take it for a drive but after around 6 miles the battery and engine warning lights came on, so i thought i'd head for home. 2 miles further and all power was gone and the car stopped. 20 minutes later i tried the ignition and to my surprise it started, so off i went. On the way home the warning lights were still on but started getting dimmer just before i got home.
I believe the alternator is at fault and so have enquired and managed to get a quote of £40 from a scrap yard for a replacement.
The problem is the replacement is off of a MGZR. Will it fit? and will it be adequate??
I've posted a few questions in the past and know you're a great bunch of folks, i therefore look forward to your help.

Cheers,
Ollie.

[talkingcars]

If the ZR is a 1.8 it will be the same if both either have or both don't have aircon.

Before you spend the money though I would check the earths around the engine bay.

[Ollie]

Thanx, i wasn't sure about what to check for. I'll see if i can find some earthing points apart from the one directly from the battery.
thanx again.

[petet16]

if you have a multimeter you can check the alternator output, should be about 14v.

[Ollie]

I have one, but i'm not too sure if its working properly - i checked the battery with engine off = 11.47 V, with engine ticking over 11.46 V.

[petet16]

Ah right the voltage with the engine off isn't too bad, but with it running it should be somewhere between 14 and 14.4, so it looks like the alternator has had it.

[Ollie]

thanx, i'll check the scrap yard deal out. i just hope it matches .

[petet16]

A lot of the K4 engines use the same alternator so there should be something that'll do the job

[petet16]

There only seems to be 2 variations aircon or not, so any 25/zr or 45/zs will be good.
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID003168

[Ollie]

I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN. The question now is which for the A/C model ???

[Ollie]

:wacko:I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN. The question now is which for the A/C model ???

[Skillen]

:wacko:

I'd say the higher rated one if that is possible to see on the sites.
May be possible to see on ECP

[petet16]

The higher rated one is air con, so if you have aircon, look for a car with aircon .

[tcb 180]

I would check all the battery terminals first especially the earth that goes onto the slam panel.

[talkingcars]

I have one, but i'm not too sure if its working properly - i checked the battery with engine off = 11.47 V, with engine ticking over 11.46 V.
Ah right the voltage with the engine off isn't too bad, but with it running it should be somewhere between 14 and 14.4, so it looks like the alternator has had it.

Alternator output and battery voltage are 2 different things, if you have a poor earth the alternator maybe putting out 14.4v but the battery only getting 11.46v.

[Ollie]

Well folks I checked the terminals and fuses under the bonnet and all seemed ok, so I went to the scrap yard, + got one off of a zr 1.8 - same part no., got it fitted and hey presto its working fab.
thanx for your help, i've learnt what to look out for CHEERS

[peterzs]

Well done Ollie.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: