pyrohamish wrote:
After a few weeks of the alternator light flickering on and off it finally died
After it died and I read up a bit I found out this indicated a diode failure and the regulator would need to be replaced.
Other tests to do in case of failure are to check the plug wiring using a test lamp.
To do this connect the test light between ground and one side of the plug disconnected on the loom side (female plug) with the ignition ON but not running.
On one pin the test lamp will light up, on the other pin it will cause the alternator light to come on in the cluster.
If this happens the wiring appears to be all good.
Other ways to find the failure are to;
Check there is no continuity between the slip rings and ground
Check there is no continuity between the stator and ground
Check continuity between all stator wires
If any of the above occurs this is the reason for failure
To fix mine I had to pull the alternator out and replace the regulator, this cost me $66 at the local electrical wholesalers for the Denso original part
At the same time I replaced the bushes and this cost $11
these two fixes only need the cover removing a few screws undone
Previously I had noticed a noise in the engine bay and narrowed it down to the alternator and replaced the bearings about 2 months before the regulator dying, this cost me less than $15 from memory for the two bearings.
To replace the bearings ideally a bearing puller is needed but I stuck the rotor assembly in the vice (carefully) and used two large screwdrivers to prise it off. Putting the new one back on was done by using a bit of pipe and a hammer.
The diodes and regulator are two completely different parts in the alternator. Cool that you replaced the reg and that fixed it. Im not sure if you can replace the diode pack in the alternators tho, haven't seen any parts
