Over charging

[Matt Bartlett]

Finally, just over a year after switching my cally's engine off, I have got it running again!! I don't have the tools to lift the engine out but nearly everything else has been taken out, cleaned or replaced and put back in. This includes removing and stripping down the head, refurbishing the hydraulic lifters, new PAS and water pumps. Really pleased to here it running again but there is a small problem.... The alternator is charging at around 14.8-15v so the charge warning light is on all the while (it's a brand new battery). Also, the oil pressure gauge is reading off the scale.

So the question is a) is the alternator knackered (car was sat idle for 5 years before I bought it) or b) is the over charging and oil gauge reading linked?

Thanks for your help in advance and in the mean time I'll get on with looking at the brakes, suspension, transfer box, interior etc etc!! You all know the drill, never a quiet time when you own a Calibra lol!!

[v6 steve]

i dont see anything wrong with that

[Matt Bartlett]

Oh, ok. I was expecting somewhere around 13.5-14v? So why would the charging light be on and the oil gauge off the scale? Do you think the problems are linked or not?

[Allys Cally]

oil gauge off the scale could be the sender units faulty or its got a loose wire

[Matt Bartlett]

Am I right in thinking that the sender is somewhere near the oil filter?

[v6 steve]

Oh, ok. I was expecting somewhere around 13.5-14v? So why would the charging light be on and the oil gauge off the scale? Do you think the problems are linked or not?

as ally says oil sender is naked or loose wire, as for the charging if it was only charging 13.5v and you put the lights ect on you would be taking more out the battery than its putting it back in


no its round the back under the alternator

[Fraz]

Am I right in thinking that the sender is somewhere near the oil filter?

yes it is right under the alternator

[Matt Bartlett]

Thanks guys, I'll check the sender connections.

The reading I was getting was checked with a multimeter and the volt gauge above the ash tray says the same. The only light flickering is the actual charging(battery symbol) light itself. The interior light also flashes in time with it?

[Fraz]

you have not mixed the wires up for the oil sender and the thin wire for the alternator?

[Matt Bartlett]

Nope. I haven't disconnected either the alternator or oil sender....

[Fraz]

or if you can get an airline try blowing out the alternator...if its been sitting a while could have all sorts in there

[Robs-se]

Think i would be inclined to look at a new alternator, especially after its been sitting so long, as said there could be alsorts going on internally like corrosion.