Ever seen an alternator fail like this? No charge, no battery light. Metro problem of the month! SOLVED!

[MetroMPG]

I found a "worked-when-removed" alternator in my alternator pile that I think will fit the Metro. It came off the Swift GT pars car I scrapped last year after we yanked the engine out for use in an airplane.



The guy who took the engine didn't want the old alternator... go figure!


I'll put it in this weekend.

[me and my metro]

Probably has four grooves on a short pulley, might not line up with your late brackets. You may have to swap pulleys if I remember correctly. I think the late cars have a longer pulley than the early cars to clear the crank sensor OBD2 crap.

[MetroMPG]

^ Surprisingly, it the Swift alternator fit perfectly -- same mounting holes and pulley. Even the field control connector is the same. The diameter of the housing itself is smaller though - I suspect it has a lower output.

Unfortunately, it also didn't fix the problem - still no charging. Crud.

Next up: I'm going to pull the alt off the Firefly and try THAT one. Am I barking up the wrong tree at this point?

Should have done this sooner, but I also checked continuity to battery positive and ground through the cable & alternator housing. A-OK.

Plan C? D? There's a 2014 Mirage 5-speed for sale in Toronto with a $2600 asking price. I've never really liked this Metro.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Can you have the alternators tested somewhere? Most auto parts stores, at least in NY, will test them for free.

[MetroMPG]

I'll have to look into that... Just called my usual store (Crappy Tire) and learned, "we used to, but not any more. Got rid of that machine." They said maybe NAPA does it. But they're closed today; will check tomorrow.

There used to be a local dedicated alt & starter repair shop and he would pop it on his test bench. But he's been gone for years.

Going to raid the Firefly now!

[Xist]

Take the whole pile!

"Will you test my alternator?"
"Sure!"
"Will you test one hundred alternators?"
"Manager!"

Edit. AutoZone tested my alternator the other day, you know, the last time that I broke my car.

[nemo]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

^ Surprisingly, it the Swift alternator fit perfectly -- same mounting holes and pulley. Even the field control connector is the same. The diameter of the housing itself is smaller though - I suspect it has a lower output.

Unfortunately, it also didn't fix the problem - still no charging. Crud.

Next up: I'm going to pull the alt off the Firefly and try THAT one. Am I barking up the wrong tree at this point?

Should have done this sooner, but I also checked continuity to battery positive and ground through the cable & alternator housing. A-OK.

Plan C? D? There's a 2014 Mirage 5-speed for sale in Toronto with a $2600 asking price. I've never really liked this Metro.

Do you have a separate field wire and are you getting power there. If not is it fused?

[MetroMPG]

Firefly alternator tested on the Metro: still not charging.

Disconnected the field control wire, restarted, and voltage briefly hit 13.x, then went back to battery voltage.

I hope I haven't fried 2 good alternators...

[Gasoline Fumes]

As far as I know, only two of the wires on the alternator really matter. The obvious big one and the small one that goes to the ignition switch (might be labeled IG terminal). There should be battery voltage at that small wire with the ignition on.

Checking continuity on the big wire might not be enough. A corroded connection (maybe at the fuse?) might be able to pass enough current for a meter, but not for charging the battery. Try measuring voltage between the alternator main terminal and the positive battery terminal with it running. Voltage should be 0 or very close to it. Same with the negative battery terminal to the alternator housing. After typing that, I see 2000mc already suggested it.

[MetroMPG]

I think I tested the equivalent: checked voltage at the positive alt terminal with the engine off and then running... no change. Battery voltage both times.

I'll check for corrosion at the other connections anyway tomorrow. Can't hurt.

I'm also calling about that cheap Mirage in the AM. :-P