Thursday, March 27, 2014
Tips on a Delco Alternator
Delco-Remy began manufacturing alternators more than a century ago, and has packed that 100 years of experience and improvements into a component part used in machinery ranging from automobiles to windmills. Despite Delcos efforts, problems with alternators do occur
Bad Connection
If the battery in your vehicle is discharging, but the alternator tests good at a repair facility, the problem may be a bad connection. Remove corrosion and grime at the mounting points, since rust and grease will block an electrical current. Clean the terminals of your alternator thoroughly, and clean the connectors of the power output wires. The online automotive advice service AA1.com advises doing these checks before looking at anything else to eliminate one of the most overlooked problems -- a poorly grounded alternator.
Sensing Trouble
Listen and look to detect trouble in the alternator. Turn the engine on. Listen for whining or screeching noises coming from the alternator. If you hear screeching, make sure the source of the noise is the alternator, and not a loose belt. If the belt is tight, turn the engine back on. Noise from an alternator indicates the bearings are bad. Turn the engine off. Look at the alternator closely. Look for burn or scorch marks on the rear vents. This indicates the alternator is burning out. Smell (yes, smell) the alternator. If you smell a slightly sweet burned smell almost like burnt sugar, the alternator is burning out.
If either condition is present, disconnect the battery. Disconnect the alternator wires, and remove the alternator. You can take it to a garage for further evaluation if youre not sure if there is a problem, however its best to replace the alternator if any of the conditions are present. Rebuilding an alternator requires tools and knowledge normally beyond that of the average home mechanic.
One-Wire System
No need to get confused because your Delco alternator only has one wire. Many Delcos are called "one-wire" because they have just one output wire. The control circuitry is built into the alternator, eliminating the need for outside voltage regulation. To install, just ground the casing, which is the negative. The single red wire is positive and must connect to the positive terminal of the battery.
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