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Delayed charging Lucas alternator

badornato

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My TR3 has Lucas Moss neg ground alternator with two wires. Brown output and a yellow/green indicator wire. For the past year, on initial startup there was a delay in charging (red light going off and positive amps on the meter) ONLY on first startup in the am. (but car always kept in warm garage so not temp sensitive). Delay was variously 10 or 15 seconds to 60 seconds usually terminated by revving up over 2000 rpm. It would not happen on other startups that day.
Now the delay is minutes, not seconds. and can occur at every startup. What kind of electronic malfunction is this? I have checked the connections and the ground on the alternator....no joy. When the red light is on, there is only battery voltage. Light off gives me 14.9 volts.
Fan belt is tight and alternator is turning with the belt.

Should I just replace the alternator (again..only 5 y old).
 
Have an auto-electric shop check your alternator. Replacing a diode is a lot cheaper than buying a new alternator.
 
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