Alternator part number 1998 GT3

[Loose Cannon]

My alternator gave up the ghost last night, struggling to see the part number without removing it (I need it mobile just to manouvre in/out the garage)

Does anyone have the part number to hand for a Valeo 90A? I have read about uprated Bosch units but it looks such a tight squeeze I'm reluctant to experiment with different sized units.

Thanks

OK scratch that, little camera got it;

Ref 2518035 14V 90A A366

[Vulcan Grey]

This BOSCH alternator can fit.

http://lotusracer.home.mchsi.com/lotustipspage3.htm

I had my Valeo rebuilt by a local shop, so it must not be too rare or difficult.

[Loose Cannon]

Surprisingly difficult to find a parts place or specialist to locate a brand new Valeo unit, however a local outfit has said it can be refurbished for £80 which sounds fair enough.

[mr.oogieboogie]

I took my valeo unit to be re-done but it was cheaper to buy a different alternator, think I still have the old vaelo unit though

[GT Andy]

Altenator on my gt3 has failed.

I will remove next week, any one purchased a new unit recently or will I need to get the old unit repair.

[Simon350S]

They are cheap to get repaired, have a dig through the yellow pages or Google and see if you've got an old man in a shed near you who fixes them

[Bibs]

They were made bespoke for Lotus by a company in Lewisham whose name I can't remember. I do recall a couple of years back looking through hundreds of pages of alternator brochures and couldn't find a match but as Simon said, they're easy and cheap enough to get them rebuilt. 

[Loose Cannon]

It's also easy for them to uprate the unit at the same time with modern components, think mines pushing out 100+ now

[GT Andy]

Thanks for confirming, I will get it off and pop around to the local repairer

[GT Andy]

Hi all

 

I have had the alternator repaired and is now refitted, when I start the car the charge light and oil light still light up.

 

When I start the car the alternator does not charge for about 45 seconds when it starts to charge the dash lights go out.

 

I have changed the relay but still the same.

 

Should the alternator charge straight away? any ideas

[Chillidoggy]

Yes, the alternator should start to charge straight away, and the charge light should extinguish. Not sure about the oil light staying on, though.

[jonwat]

The oil light staying on makes it sound like a poor connection somewhere :-)

[GT Andy]

Thanks for the replies, I have been out today.

Had a look this morning and found the negative battery connection was loose although the nut and bolt was tight.

Will try it from cold in the morning.

[Loose Cannon]

Had a longstanding charging problem on stepson's car, many alternators tried without success, as said here loose/corroded connections are often to blame....there are so few in the charging system it's worth testing/cleaning each one.

 

Even if they look and feel "tight" they may just be bound by corrosion - the ring connector at fault in our case had to be tapped apart with a hammer, but it still wasn't making contact when the engine rocked under accelleration

[GT Andy]

It is working as it should now.

12volt on exciter wire and the charge light and oil light go out as normal.

I think I will fit two new more substantial battery lead clamps.