Community Forums

heyaim · 08-03-2011, 10:01 AM

Our alternator died on us 1.5 weeks ago in our 1986 Allegro Bay, 454 engine. Hubby has been trying to get to it and is having a hell of a time. There's hardly any room to get to it from the cab or from underneath. Anyone have any tips?

We have a trip planned for this weekend. I hope he can get it changed so we can go!!!

heyaim · 08-03-2011, 05:43 PM

He finally removed the alternator! Now to get the new one installed before this weekend camping trip. The rush is on!

4Knights · 08-03-2011, 07:12 PM

I just replaced mine on a 94 Pace Arrow, did it from inside basically lying on the engine, a lot easier than trying to be stretch armstrong from under neath. Make sure you look at the new one before you buy so the plugs are correct!

jimbo16720 · 08-03-2011, 08:51 PM

Should be right on top I hope. I too have an 86 winnie and though mine didn't die it is putting out less than it should. It started jumping from 10 to 14 volts while driving and the lights would dim and get bright. Figure better off changing it before it goes while I need it.

TitanicPilot · 08-03-2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo16720

Should be right on top I hope. I too have an 86 winnie and though mine didn't die it is putting out less than it should. It started jumping from 10 to 14 volts while driving and the lights would dim and get bright. Figure better off changing it before it goes while I need it.

That year probably has an external voltage regulator. I'd suggest checking it before replacing the alternator. I've attached a procedure for checking a popular regulator from that era.

heyaim · 08-04-2011, 02:40 AM

Thanks for the replies!! He took it down to the auto parts store last night, they said it was testing fine. I think he's going to replace it anyway. He's talking about replacing the regulator also.

Basically what happened, we were heading to a campground and all of a sudden our battery indicator dropped to zero. We pulled over immediately and he checked a few things. We turned everything off. No radio, no a/c...the only thing we ran was the gps. We have an emergency start...she started right back up. The next morning he took the battery to an auto place and had them charge it for an hour or so. (Thank goodness we were pulling the car.)

TitanicPilot · 08-04-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyaim

Thanks for the replies!! He took it down to the auto parts store last night, they said it was testing fine. I think he's going to replace it anyway. He's talking about replacing the regulator also.

....

Two things:

If he buys a new alternator (a waste of money) I hope that it is a heavy duty 110 amp unit that is able to keep up with the energy demands of a motor home.
If he doesn't change the regulator, the new alternator probably won't work either....

GOLDWINGER2 · 08-04-2011, 01:05 PM

That alternator has a built in regulator. Make sure all of your connections are clean and tight. If you have the batt
isolator make sure it has clean and tight connections, and is a good isolator.
J

JimElliott · 08-04-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOLDWINGER2

That alternator has a built in regulator. Make sure all of your connections are clean and tight. If you have the batt
isolator make sure it has clean and tight connections, and is a good isolator.
J

X2

Jim

bigskymt · 08-04-2011, 07:05 PM

GM has had internal regulators since late 70's. A defective internal regulator is easy to check by inserting a screw driver into the rear of the alternator at the half moon slot next to ther rear carrier bearing, touching the tab and grounding the "probe" to the case. It will start to charge "full field" untill you shut down the engine.
Replacing the alternator may be easier from the passenger side of the coach in the front wheel well.
By your description you have a poor connection at either the battery or isolator or chassis ground.

Billieg · 08-04-2011, 07:27 PM

If it is a Lister Alt and reg. then you are not buying anything that will work. They went out of business years ago and nothing new will fit. A Penteck reg will work but you will need to rewire it and have the alt. rebuilt. Been there, done that.....

Sammie · 08-04-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyaim

Thanks for the replies!! He took it down to the auto parts store last night, they said it was testing fine. I think he's going to replace it anyway. He's talking about replacing the regulator also.

Basically what happened, we were heading to a campground and all of a sudden our battery indicator dropped to zero. We pulled over immediately and he checked a few things. We turned everything off. No radio, no a/c...the only thing we ran was the gps. We have an emergency start...she started right back up. The next morning he took the battery to an auto place and had them charge it for an hour or so. (Thank goodness we were pulling the car.)

Tony and Amy, I once had a 1990 Pace Arrow on the Chevy chassis that had the same problem as you. It ended up being a shorted wire in the main wire loomb. Have Tony look at the engine from up top on the left side. The main wire loomb crosses over the air conditioning compressor mounting bracket towards the front of the engine. My wire loomb was pulled so tight across the bracket that it wore right thru the wire loomb. I was able to tape up the bare wire and surround the loomb with a piece of rubber to prevent further wear.

Sammie

heyaim · 08-05-2011, 03:45 AM

Thank you all so much! He ran thru checked all the wires, didn't find anything disconnected or anything...went ahead and put everything back together. It fired up right away and had battery power. Basically, he did nothing, replaced nothing. So who knows!

Regardless, we are going camping this weekend...leaving today after work! I plan on sitting back this weekend with a nice tall long island!