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AM alternator diagnosis?

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John_Mc

John_Mc

Jedi Knight
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This is not actually a Triumph-specific question, but since all Triumph owners are geniuses, I know this is the place to get the answers! I had heard that certain alternator problems can be detected by the type of static you pick up on the AM frequencies of the car stereo. Any truth to this? And if so, what can one discern from the static?
 
John,
You have a bunch of possibilities here. First off, radio? Who listens to the radio in their 6? That aside, a whine might indicate bad brushes and/or cruddy connections. Have you taken down your alt plug lately and looked at it. I routinely (annually) disconnect all electrical connections and scrape them for better conduction, especially those many bullet connectors. A little dielectric grease can't hurt. Are you using "R" type (resistor) spark plugs? Can't hurt. All brands offer resistor plugs, in fact it is hard to find non-resistor types. If you are interested, and this is not a comeon, the alternator from my 73 TR6 (correct one for that year) was rebuilt by TRF about 10K miles ago. I went with a Delco and have no use for the Lucas unit. It worked fine when I took it out last year. New rebuilt is about $110.00, I will sell mine for 50 bucks and that includes shipping. If you don't think it is worth it, I will offer a money-back guarantee. It is in perfect order.

Keep on pluggin....
Bill
 
Haven't heard that one but I do know this. I had a $400 74 Dodge dart and I listened exclusively to cassetes in it on a very cheap tape deck. I started noticing a whine when listening that would change with engine speed. Other people didn't really notice it but I when I was alone I usually had the stereo very loud to cover the sound of the spedo chirping. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway... over the course of about a month it got worse. Then the alternator died. I replaced the alternator and the whine went away.
 
I think I have it.


If the rhythm is to:

‘Yankee Doodle’ = something is going on but too early to tell
‘Purple Haze’ = change the brushes and clean the slip rings or ignore until a break down
‘Rule Britannia’ = Performs to Spec’s
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
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