Think we might be getting somewhere... the battery light on the dash doesn't illuminate with ignition. Though once I revved past 3k, it came on. At this point I got 14.2v off the battery terminals.
So I think this has something to do with the exciter wire, and the alternator self exciting at high rpm. I don't know how to check this though yet.
It's cold, but I don't see what difference this would make?
In any case, I've realised now that I can get the alternator to kick in (self excite?) by revving the engine (>3k rpm), once it has kicked in it stays in and I get 14.2v on the battery.
So I think this has something to do with the exciter wire, and the alternator self exciting at high rpm. I don't know how to check this though yet.
(26-03-2014, 02:49 PM)Niall Wrote: And what state is the car in when your checking it? Warm/cold? Take it for a drive, get it right up to temp and see what voltage you get then.
It's cold, but I don't see what difference this would make?
In any case, I've realised now that I can get the alternator to kick in (self excite?) by revving the engine (>3k rpm), once it has kicked in it stays in and I get 14.2v on the battery.