Alternator Whine, Not charging at Idle

For all Nissan related topics

Moderator: Mark

Post Reply
User avatar
travis2ninja
Hard Yaka
Posts: 145
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2013 2:33 am
Location: Albany AU

Alternator Whine, Not charging at Idle

Post by travis2ninja »

Hi,
In my 1992 Nissan TD27t Terrano the alternator decided to stop working which was a Genuine Hitachi 60amp.
I bought a new one from auto8, 80amp with vacuum pump and installed it.
While driving it charges fine, around 14.5volts.
But it makes a whining noise as soon as i touch the throttle, if i disconnect the plug at the back the whining noise stops but obviously doesn't charge at all.
It also does not charge while idling, only when it goes above ~1000rmp.
Which is pretty annoying since you want to use it while stopped so you don't drain your battery.
What do you think is wrong with it? and is it an easy fix or should i just send it back?
Cheers
Colinl
Hard Yaka
Posts: 173
Joined: Wed May 22, 2013 2:09 pm
Location: Wellington

Re: Alternator Whine, Not charging at Idle

Post by Colinl »

Alternators generally do not put out large amps to charge batteries when at idle. Alternator pulley speed needs to be around 2000 rpm to approach max output.

Idle up switch or resizing the alternator pulley would help.
Most alternators will handle pulley speeds around 10,000rpm.

Not sure about the whining noise though....
User avatar
evolution02
Hard Yaka
Posts: 181
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:27 pm
Location: Timaru

Re: Alternator Whine, Not charging at Idle

Post by evolution02 »

Alternators don't charge much at idle but with all electrics off and wait for glow to turn off voltage should still be up a bit
The whine is a concern tho. Does it get hot fast? As in can't hold your hand on it?
At revs with everything on, heater, lights, rear demister etc does the voltage stay up around 14?
If not it could have a phase out due to blown diodes on the rectifier and I would be sending it back
User avatar
skidmark
Hard Yaka
Posts: 616
Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:24 pm
Location: hamilton

Re: Alternator Whine, Not charging at Idle

Post by skidmark »

evolution02 wrote:
If not it could have a phase out due to blown diodes on the rectifier and I would be sending it back

+1 for what he said
modified surf, hardly drive it seem to keep modifying it....
Post Reply

Return to “Nissan”