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My 80B, 47,000 miles, original alternator, all lights (dash, headlights, etc.,) will dim, get bright, then dim; doesn't happen alot but enough to notice. I put a new belt on and tightened it to spec.'s but no change. I am thinking it is the alternator, since it is my weekend ride can I get away with driving it until it gets worse or should I replace the alternator now? There is no drain on battery that I can tell. What do you think? Thanks.
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alternator??
- Thread starter bluecoat
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chris roop
Jedi Hopeful
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I think you should clean your battery connections, then the alt wiring connections and see if that eliminates the problem.
chris roop
Jedi Hopeful
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Got to thinking. Did you have the problem before? Have you rechecked the belt tension?
Want to thank Chris for the advice, cleaned both battery and alternator wire connections and that cleared up the problem; this is turning into a love hate relationship, it then died in the driveway and would not restart, I notice when I turned on the ignition I did not hear the fuel pump clicking and sure enough the carb is not getting gas. I am going to check the connections and make the sure the pump is getting juice later on in the week. I just had time to push it in the garage. I don't have the time or desire to rebuild the pump, however if there is some simple maintenance on the pump anyone can offer it would be appreciated. On the bright side I have gotten 5 thumbs up in the last week while driving the car!
Bluecoat,
turn the ignition on, tap the pump with a screwdriver handle. (I swear thats why the put the pump in the trunk), it will probably start clicking again. That trick will work for awhile, but eventually, you will need to rebuild the pump, replace it like for like, (about $90), or spend about $25 at the local Autozone, Napa, O'Reilly's whatever, for a square aftermarket pump which works fine, but is loud and never stops clicking...
Ed
turn the ignition on, tap the pump with a screwdriver handle. (I swear thats why the put the pump in the trunk), it will probably start clicking again. That trick will work for awhile, but eventually, you will need to rebuild the pump, replace it like for like, (about $90), or spend about $25 at the local Autozone, Napa, O'Reilly's whatever, for a square aftermarket pump which works fine, but is loud and never stops clicking...
Ed
tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Also, check the fuel pump ground to the body (its right near the fuel pump underneath the car)
Based on the fact that his MGB is an 80, I assumed that his pump is an SU which has the electical connections in the "boot". The pump end is actually under the car behind the right tire, but the most effective "tap" place is high
on the pump near the top, where the contacts are located.
That having been said, if he has his pump mounted elsewhere, of course he will have to venture into that area to perform the tapping ritual with the associated chanting and praying the "Lucas"
Ed
on the pump near the top, where the contacts are located.
That having been said, if he has his pump mounted elsewhere, of course he will have to venture into that area to perform the tapping ritual with the associated chanting and praying the "Lucas"
Ed
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I heard a story one time where a guy was on a trip and the pump started quiting so he pulled the metal cover off the battery compartment and every time the car ran out of gas, he would reach for his screw driver and tap on the pump without getting out or stoping. I don't see how he could have done that without having a wreck. I don't think I could reach mine that way. Of course, I haven't tried. Has anyone else?
Bob
Bob
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<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by tony barnhill:
Also, check the fuel pump ground to the body (its right near the fuel pump underneath the car)<hr></blockquote>
My ground connection for the pump is under one of the license tag bolts. That gets corrosion around it and should be cleaned periodically. And mine is under the car behind the right rear wheel but reachable with the handle of a screw driver. That is an essential MGB drivers tool.
[ 02-03-2004: Message edited by: mrbassman ]</p>
Also, check the fuel pump ground to the body (its right near the fuel pump underneath the car)<hr></blockquote>
My ground connection for the pump is under one of the license tag bolts. That gets corrosion around it and should be cleaned periodically. And mine is under the car behind the right rear wheel but reachable with the handle of a screw driver. That is an essential MGB drivers tool.
[ 02-03-2004: Message edited by: mrbassman ]</p>
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<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Geo Hahn:
Rode with a friend who was having this problem, each time the pump would quit he would drive off the road and bounce along the rough shoulder to get it working again.<hr></blockquote>
Wow, on an interstate you would have to go WAYYYY off the road.
Rode with a friend who was having this problem, each time the pump would quit he would drive off the road and bounce along the rough shoulder to get it working again.<hr></blockquote>
Wow, on an interstate you would have to go WAYYYY off the road.