Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi All

MOT tomorrow so was just completing last minute checks and I noticed that both the wires were disconnected from the alternator! Any ideas what the correct order is - I can't find the photos I took of it a while back!

I've just attached them to two of the terminals for now (haven't started the car yet).



Regards
Gareth

See topic:
lotus-electrical-f38/alternator-problem-t33730.html?hilit=alternator
Which contains this diagram:

Does it help?

If you have a voltmeter handy, the fat wire for the + terminal is connected direct to the battery, so it will always show 12v approx, regardless of the ignition switch.

The wire that comes through the ignition warning light will only show 12v when the ignition switch is on.

Don't run the endine with the alternator wiring disconnected; I think that might damage the alternator electronics.

Hi Bill

Yeah I did have a look at that diagram but I must say it didn't shed much light. I believe that the alternator is not an original lucas one, however I turned that car on with them in the position shown in my photo and the right light came on and the battery switched to 'on charge'.

I'm therefore assuming that it's connected correctly?

Cheers
Gareth

I would say that that is not connected correctly. You only need two wires on most alternators as the diagram show's one heavy charge wire connected to the batt and one charge indicator wire feeding through the warning lamp and switched. The main feed should connect to one of the heavy screw post's I would think though I have no familiarity with the alternator shown. It's not hard to damage an alternator if not hooked up correctly.

No expert....just my .02!

Kurt.

As far as I am aware, in these ACR type alternators, the main connector (that you've wired to) is linked to that other terminal post. Some alternators require a wire connected to each of the two wider terminals, but most nowadays (normally known as self exciting alternators) have these two terminals connected internally.
So, if you have the big connecting terminal connected to one of the bigger terminals and the smaller (brown /yellow) wire connected to the smaller terminal, then all is OK.
Peter