[deep-six]

Hi All

Hope someone can help with this ongoing saga.

Son has a 2000 2.0 J20 eng Grand Vitara, Had flat battery issues so after he replaced the battery a second time I figured there was more to it.

He took the car to an auto elec who diagnosed a dead alternator. Simple fix, or so you would think.

Being that I work in an auto parts store I looked up the number for a new alternator, checked the price, picked myself off the floor and ordered it.

Chucked the new alternator in after not comparing it all that thoroughly and sent him on his way. 1/2 later get a call that the drive belt has shredded. Crap.

Got a new belt next day and fitted it, figured the original failed 'cos I levered against the tensioner in order to fit the alternator so must have damaged it. Sent him on his way, 1/2 later repeat of previous days call, belt shredded, Double Crap.

Purchased second new belt and investigated, found puller on new alternator suits 4 rib belt and this model has 5 rib belt. Cant return the alternator as it has been fitted. So removed pulley but had to have old pulley from original alternator machined out to fit new alternator. OK, everything fixed, fitted up, sent him on his way. Get a call next day, battery has gone flat, its a new battery 600CCA so I dont think that is the problem.

Out of ideas I sent the car to another auto elec mate of mine who reports this alternator is a computer controlled model that wont work on this vitara, think it suits a baleno or something like that. Triple crap.

So today I got the correct alternator, fitted it, checked everything but attaching a multi meter to the terminals only getting a reading of 12.5 volts. I thought I should be seeing something like 14 volts when engine running.

Totally out of ideas here, battery is way oversized for this vehicle at 600CCA but dont know if that would cause a problem. Sent him on his way but expecting a call tomorrow to say battery is dead again.

Any ideas, tips, theorys greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Ric

[fordem]

I suggest you start by finding an auto electrician who knows what he's doing - a couple of different reasons ...

- 1 - if the first replacement alternator was in fact "computer controlled" it's quite unlikely that you would have been able to connect it without modifying the wiring, the connectors are different.
- 2 - computer controlled alternators reduce charge rate when told to by the computer, if there is no computer they charge at full rate - so that's not the reason it's not charging.
- 3 - if you have now fitted the correct replacement alternator and it is still not charging, then you have a charge system issue which needs to be diagnosed and rectified

There's not a whole lot you can do beyond making sure the fuses are good (and in this case if the engine starts & runs the fuses involved are intact) and make sure the charge indicator lamp is good - it should come on with the key before the engine starts. No the battery size is not an issue.

[Gwagensteve]

I do not believe the alternator is "computer controlled" in a j20 GV.

Battery size is irrelevant.

As per Fordem- you have a charge system issue. Check the exciter terminal is seeing ignition +ve.

[deep-six]

Thanks guys. how would I go about checking the exciter terminal

[fordem]

With a volt meter - the exciter terminal is the center terminal in the plug.