1990 MR2 ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS!!

[MR2BOY23]

Hey guys. Ive got a 1990 non turbo mr2 and recently three lights have popped up on my dash Battery/ Exhaust temp / Radiator fan. I continued to drive it tho and noticed my battery meter was going down, I turnd the car off and the battery was dead...

The obvious answer is the alternator, but ive heard people having similar problems but it not being the actual alternator, im getting it chekd out tmrw jus wondering if anyone had any advice, or experience .. id appreciate it heaps if sum1 had any valuable advice !! THANKS

Ive had a look on the net couldnt find anything, and want to keep it a last resort getting a mechanic involved as I would like to sort it out myself.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR??[/b]

[johndoe1025]

voltage reg is in your alternator aint it? check for continuity from the positive terminal on the batt to the stud on the alternator, if theres very little resistance, its something to do with your alternator. generally if your regs given up, its due for bearings, sometimes a recitifier to as when you regulator shits itself it can sometimes give a voltage spike. and you ned testers to find out whats faulty on a reg. easiest way is find a second hand one, or get it reconditioned by a auto sparky, way easier and you get a warranty

[GDII]

I had the exact problem a few weeks ago. Same car too.

Pulled out the alternator and the bushes were worn so bad that the springs couldn't push them against the shaft.

My voltmeter on my dash was running about halfway up the shaded part of the gauge when it was running fine. When I had the problem it was at the bottom.

I just bought a new one for the price I could get it for. Getting it rebuilt might be an option as retail from repco is pretty steep.

Now the gauge runs at about 3/4 up the shaded part. No problems since.

Getting the alternator out is fun Pull it out the top of the engine bay with the pulley facing up and rotate it so it fits. May scratch some paint on the way out. Hope this helps.

[strx7]

SW20's are known for eating alternators

[johndoe1025]

new alternators can cost anywhere from 300-800 new, not sure how much one for a 3sge is, but usually if u take it into a auto sparky they cn tell you what is the cheapest option, although you do have to pay labour on top. alternatively you can pull it off yourself, and they can check it for you

[lucasthefallen]

just put a set of brush's in it if thats the issue....

[Lloyd]

And have fun getting the alternator out

[GDII]

And have fun getting the alternator out

It's not that bad when you know how. Very tight squeeze though.

Getting it back in to the bracket is another story however.

[johndoe1025]

if its just brushes id reccomend getting a new reg to, the arcing on the slip rings causes it to load up, and if it aint failed yet, it wont be long. then you got the mission of getting it out again. better to do it all in one hit

[MR2BOY23]

Thanks for all the help guyss, gona suss it out tmrw will let you know how it goes : )

[aadk]

good luck man hope it works out for you!!

[AceSniper]

make sure on your alt plug the S and I terminals have power on key.

you could check the brushes they are cheap... after that its strip it down change bearings, check rotor, diodes (rectifier), regulator (need a test unit for this)

most new alternators are expensive... cheapest ones are Bosch an ones used on ford/holden, Regulators cost 80-120$ depending on item and contacts.

If it was me Id check brushes if its them fix it... if not find a decent working 2nd hand one and replace the brushes in it.

[johndoe1025]

most toyotas use denso alternators, although a few use bosch

[Elmendorf]

When my sw20 alternator died at A1GP I got the whole thing replaced through toyota with a reconditioned unit for $180. Such a pain in the ass place they are located at on those cars.

[Adamal]

Yea, you pretty much have to remove the mounting bracket just to get the alternator in there :/

[Elmendorf]

Just another reason why I no longer own an MR2

[MR2BOY23]

Just another reason why I no longer own an MR2

lol. There great cars to own, this is the first major problem ive eva had with it. apart from my handbrake cable snapping, but still very relaible !

[Lloyd]

Heh, they're famous for the handbrake cables too. Pays to leave them in gear

[MR2BOY23]

Problem Solved Brushes and diodes replaced and $100 later MR2 is back on the road

[Elmendorf]

Just another reason why I no longer own an MR2

lol. There great cars to own, this is the first major problem ive eva had with it. apart from my handbrake cable snapping, but still very relaible !

Owned one for 5 months and in that time it was up on jacks getting shit done to it to keep it going than actually being driven..... think I'll stick to my front mounted engines..... My boyfriend owns an MR2 that has been waiting for an engine transplant 1 year next tuesday cos the workshop doing it is too lazy and has every excuse under the sun not to do it.

Good to hear yours is back running though