No alternator - will it start?

spope · 23-12-2005, 11:23 PM

I picked up a wrecked eb2 ghia the other day, it's a bit of a mess.
Anyway, someone has taken a lot of the good bits, including the cluster, trip computer and the alternator.
I threw a cluster in it today, tried to start it, but no go.
Checked all the relays, etc - fuel pump primes, but motor doesn't crank.
Is the alternator essential to it starting? I realise the ecu will crack it if the extra plug is not plugged in, but what about the main charging connection?
I have a spare alternator here that i can throw in, but i wasn't gonna bother if it's not gonna change anything.
Anyone know for sure if it needs it to start?

Damo · 23-12-2005, 11:27 PM

my EA started with the alternater unplugged once, when I changed the water pump i had the alt unplugged for some reason. Obviously if you not running alternater you not running fan or water pump so don't run it for too loing

Rowy,xr6 · 23-12-2005, 11:30 PM

There is no reason the engine wouldnt crank or run coz of no alt, i would check the battery voltage for one thing, but even if you got it running i would recommend running it to long the alt belt is the only thing running the water pump

snypereb · 23-12-2005, 11:54 PM

Should start if the battery is charged but nothing will charge the battery when its running so it will die!

damo03 · 24-12-2005, 12:17 AM

I once had a look at a TD cortina that wouldn't start unless i bridged a alternator connector to the battery, cos it was missing. I cannot remember what though?

Perhaps just complete the normal circuit without the alternator? I cannot see why it would need the alternator to start as a when the regulator goes on a alternator it will still run while the battery has charge.

snypereb · 24-12-2005, 08:21 AM

Then you ould be criving down the road and the bettery run out and your stranded!

galapogos01 · 24-12-2005, 09:45 AM

no alternator = no water pump = cooked engine.

bad idea!

LUXO_8 · 24-12-2005, 09:56 AM

im 90% possitive he wants to get it going so he can drive it up his steep / angled driveway, not actually running around the streets in it......

ilsautomotive · 24-12-2005, 10:57 AM

If it's only briefly you will be fine. Bear in mind normal batteries aren't designed to be fully discharged, though an Optima or similar would cope pretty well.

spope · 24-12-2005, 08:15 PM

Thanks for the comments guys.
As wayne pointed out, yeah, i only need to move the car about 15 metres - I wasn't planning on cruising up to sydney or anything. :P
Well, I bolted an alternator in this morning, but the only change is now the battery light comes on on the dash - still no start.
Voltage in the battery is no problem, I'm using my spare super duper exide battery, which we always keep charged.
I suspect a wiring fault of some description, but i can quite work out where / how.
When I turn the key to start, the "brake fail" light illuminates, no starter relay click, no action at all.
However the fuel pump still primes, it's really odd.
And yes, I have checked the brake fluid level and all the relays and fuses - i suspect the brake fail lamp coming on to have something to do with the wiring fault.
I'll work it out, anyways!

gthofan · 24-12-2005, 09:15 PM

it could be the voltage regulator in the alternator.
i had a vk (forgive me father for i have sinned) commodore a while back and that did an alternator. i replaced it with a second hand 1 that i didnt know was a bit dodgy. anywho the brake fail light began to illuminatewhen i was driving, the light would get brighter as i accellerate, and dimmer as i eased off the throttle.
hope this helps a bit.
scott.

InitialD · 24-12-2005, 10:18 PM

if the brake fail light is only comming up when you turn to start the car and your not hearing any clicking,etc means the crank wires from the barrel are not contacting.

Just wait 2 days you impacient ninny :P ill come around tuesday and get it going for you hahaha j/k

INJECTED_250 · 25-12-2005, 12:29 AM

Has it even got a starter motor in it >>>

EA1191 · 25-12-2005, 11:41 AM

There was problem with the wiring connector to the solenoid on my EA. It was a simple push-on clip which had corroded. Maybe check for power to that terminal.

spope · 25-12-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InitialD

Just wait 2 days you impacient ninny ill come around tuesday and get it going for you hahaha j/k

Hmmm.... well, the car is getting fuel, so we won't have any problem in that area :P
It's either a dodgy earth somewhere, or some crossed wires somewhere. I have stuck my spare EA barrel in the car, but am getting no joy. There is the possibility that my barrely is dodgy, but it was working ok when it was in my car.
The car is pre-smartlock EB2, so smartlock is not an issue.

Yes, there is a starter motor in it, yes it is connected. However the car is not switching the starter relay, so the problem is in the wiring before the starter motor.
We'll work it out, don't worry. ;)

NZ · 25-12-2005, 03:10 PM

manually bridge the starter relay.

INJECTED_250 · 25-12-2005, 04:40 PM

possibly a dodgy neutral start switch

hobo · 25-12-2005, 10:04 PM

just turn the ignotion on and get a screwdriver and short the back of the starter motor and it should start, works for me anyway

damo03 · 25-12-2005, 11:08 PM

Is it a manual? If so push start it and if it starts then you can check the alternator to see if its givign a charge voltage (about 13-14.5v) and if it is charging then you know it is your starter motor solenoid or something...

Good luck mate.

LUXO_8 · 25-12-2005, 11:30 PM

being a fairmont ghia you could almost garuntee its an auto, unless its been modded

spope · 26-12-2005, 10:53 AM

Yeah, it's an auto - stock as a rock, as far as that goes - no mods at all.
Turned out to be a dodgy ignition switch, after all that. Switched it for a good one, it started fine.
Thanks for all the help peope, it is greatly appreciated.