There's a hole in my bucket...

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Alternator on the old car is playing up. Output low - only reading 13.1v
instead of the usual 13.8v, engine running. Battery tested and just fine.

When the original alternator played up, I decided to fit a later higher
output one. Made in the 2000s rather than 1980s. Easy enough conversion
once I'd sourced the correct pulley for the different diameter shaft. The
mounting brackets were just fine with different spacers. And terminals and
output wiring upgraded. Not sure where this brand new one came from, other
than a private sale on Ebay.

So as usual worth trying a new regulator. But all the suppliers seem to
want a VIN to know which one. Not much use on a none OEM fitment.

So emailed a company who sells regulators explaining things. Got an email
back asking for the VIN. Tried again. They then seemed to understand and
for the alternator details (which I'd sent in the first email). It's a
Magneti Marelli A127 IM-100, according to the plate on it, and sent the
details again.

Got another email asking for the VIN.

[Brian Reay]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Alternator on the old car is playing up. Output low - only reading 13.1v
instead of the usual 13.8v, engine running. Battery tested and just fine.
When the original alternator played up, I decided to fit a later higher
output one. Made in the 2000s rather than 1980s. Easy enough conversion
once I'd sourced the correct pulley for the different diameter shaft. The
mounting brackets were just fine with different spacers. And terminals and
output wiring upgraded. Not sure where this brand new one came from, other
than a private sale on Ebay.
So as usual worth trying a new regulator. But all the suppliers seem to
want a VIN to know which one. Not much use on a none OEM fitment.
So emailed a company who sells regulators explaining things. Got an email
back asking for the VIN. Tried again. They then seemed to understand and
for the alternator details (which I'd sent in the first email). It's a
Magneti Marelli A127 IM-100, according to the plate on it, and sent the
details again.
Got another email asking for the VIN.

Tell them it is for a ‘special’.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Alternator on the old car is playing up. Output low - only reading 13.1v
instead of the usual 13.8v, engine running. Battery tested and just fine.
When the original alternator played up, I decided to fit a later higher
output one. Made in the 2000s rather than 1980s. Easy enough conversion
once I'd sourced the correct pulley for the different diameter shaft. The
mounting brackets were just fine with different spacers. And terminals and
output wiring upgraded. Not sure where this brand new one came from, other
than a private sale on Ebay.
So as usual worth trying a new regulator. But all the suppliers seem to
want a VIN to know which one. Not much use on a none OEM fitment.
So emailed a company who sells regulators explaining things. Got an email
back asking for the VIN. Tried again. They then seemed to understand and
for the alternator details (which I'd sent in the first email). It's a
Magneti Marelli A127 IM-100, according to the plate on it, and sent the
details again.
Got another email asking for the VIN.

Tell them it is for a special‘.

Tried every way I can think of to try and persuade them a VIN won't help.
I'd guess it's not in the script of those who reply to the mails.

Took the old reg. off. and there is a part number on it. Did an Ebay
search on only that, and up came a reg said to be for a Bosch alternator,
but looks like it will fit. Picture shows a heatsink mine doesn't have,
though.

[Fredxx]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Alternator on the old car is playing up. Output low - only reading 13.1v
instead of the usual 13.8v, engine running. Battery tested and just fine.
When the original alternator played up, I decided to fit a later higher
output one. Made in the 2000s rather than 1980s. Easy enough conversion
once I'd sourced the correct pulley for the different diameter shaft. The
mounting brackets were just fine with different spacers. And terminals and
output wiring upgraded. Not sure where this brand new one came from, other
than a private sale on Ebay.
So as usual worth trying a new regulator. But all the suppliers seem to
want a VIN to know which one. Not much use on a none OEM fitment.
So emailed a company who sells regulators explaining things. Got an email
back asking for the VIN. Tried again. They then seemed to understand and
for the alternator details (which I'd sent in the first email). It's a
Magneti Marelli A127 IM-100, according to the plate on it, and sent the
details again.
Got another email asking for the VIN.

Tell them it is for a special‘.

Tried every way I can think of to try and persuade them a VIN won't help.
I'd guess it's not in the script of those who reply to the mails.
Took the old reg. off. and there is a part number on it. Did an Ebay
search on only that, and up came a reg said to be for a Bosch alternator,
but looks like it will fit. Picture shows a heatsink mine doesn't have,
though.

The last time I bought a Chinese A127 lookalike from eBay it cost me
around £50. It seemed a better bet than getting parts.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Post by Fredxx

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Alternator on the old car is playing up. Output low - only reading 13.1v
instead of the usual 13.8v, engine running. Battery tested and just fine.
When the original alternator played up, I decided to fit a later
higher output one. Made in the 2000s rather than 1980s. Easy enough
conversion once I'd sourced the correct pulley for the different
diameter shaft. The mounting brackets were just fine with different
spacers. And terminals and output wiring upgraded. Not sure where
this brand new one came from, other than a private sale on Ebay.
So as usual worth trying a new regulator. But all the suppliers seem
to want a VIN to know which one. Not much use on a none OEM fitment.
So emailed a company who sells regulators explaining things. Got an
email back asking for the VIN. Tried again. They then seemed to
understand and for the alternator details (which I'd sent in the
first email). It's a Magneti Marelli A127 IM-100, according to the
plate on it, and sent the details again.
Got another email asking for the VIN.

Tell them it is for a special.

Tried every way I can think of to try and persuade them a VIN won't
help. I'd guess it's not in the script of those who reply to the mails.
Took the old reg. off. and there is a part number on it. Did an Ebay
search on only that, and up came a reg said to be for a Bosch
alternator, but looks like it will fit. Picture shows a heatsink mine
doesn't have, though.

The last time I bought a Chinese A127 lookalike from eBay it cost me
around £50. It seemed a better bet than getting parts.

Are they all identical, though? Not a handed fitting? And there are
certainly some that use a multiplug connector - mine has individual
terminals. It's also relatively new and low miles. I'd guess I'd find the
same problem trying to get a complete one - they only work by vehicle VIN.

The reg ordered up against that part number RTM 153B arrived and fitted
it. Certainly a direct replacement, although looks slightly different. No
brand - just made in China.

Alternator now charging, but slightly odd. Rather noisy - a whine - but
may be just the brushes bedding in?

Fast idle volts after a cold start seem low at just over 13v. Old one read
about 14v. Increase the revs to 1500, and it jumps to 14.5. Never saw the
old one that high. It also seems to take a while to react to switching on
a load like the headlights - voltage jumps around before settling. Old one
reacted near instantly.

Not taken the car for a drive yet though. Perhaps it will settle down.

Odd I couldn't find a genuine spare.

[Fredxx]

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by Fredxx

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Alternator on the old car is playing up. Output low - only
reading 13.1v instead of the usual 13.8v, engine running.
Battery tested and just fine.
When the original alternator played up, I decided to fit a
later higher output one. Made in the 2000s rather than 1980s.
Easy enough conversion once I'd sourced the correct pulley
for the different diameter shaft. The mounting brackets were
just fine with different spacers. And terminals and output
wiring upgraded. Not sure where this brand new one came from,
other than a private sale on Ebay.
So as usual worth trying a new regulator. But all the
suppliers seem to want a VIN to know which one. Not much use
on a none OEM fitment.
So emailed a company who sells regulators explaining things.
Got an email back asking for the VIN. Tried again. They then
seemed to understand and for the alternator details (which
I'd sent in the first email). It's a Magneti Marelli A127
IM-100, according to the plate on it, and sent the details
again.
Got another email asking for the VIN.

Tell them it is for a special.

Tried every way I can think of to try and persuade them a VIN
won't help. I'd guess it's not in the script of those who reply
to the mails.
Took the old reg. off. and there is a part number on it. Did an
Ebay search on only that, and up came a reg said to be for a
Bosch alternator, but looks like it will fit. Picture shows a
heatsink mine doesn't have, though.

The last time I bought a Chinese A127 lookalike from eBay it cost
me around £50. It seemed a better bet than getting parts.

Are they all identical, though? Not a handed fitting? And there are
certainly some that use a multiplug connector - mine has individual
terminals. It's also relatively new and low miles. I'd guess I'd find
the same problem trying to get a complete one - they only work by
vehicle VIN.

The one I got was handed, and the seller carried both.

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
The reg ordered up against that part number RTM 153B arrived and
fitted it. Certainly a direct replacement, although looks slightly
different. No brand - just made in China.
Alternator now charging, but slightly odd. Rather noisy - a whine -
but may be just the brushes bedding in?

Brushes or should I say slip-rings are very quiet. A whine might suggest
a U/S diode.

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Fast idle volts after a cold start seem low at just over 13v. Old one
read about 14v. Increase the revs to 1500, and it jumps to 14.5.
Never saw the old one that high. It also seems to take a while to
react to switching on a load like the headlights - voltage jumps
around before settling. Old one reacted near instantly.
Not taken the car for a drive yet though. Perhaps it will settle down.
Odd I couldn't find a genuine spare.

If the battery was in a poor charge state, I can well believe 13.2V Are
you sure it had 'kicked in'?

A long time ago I cam across a faulty crimp on the star point of the
stator. Over time, and likely lots of temperature cycling, this had
eroded away and making poor connections. Did you check this connection?

I'm wondering if the faulty regulator wasn't the only issue, or perhaps
the symptom of a fault?

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Post by Fredxx

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Fast idle volts after a cold start seem low at just over 13v. Old one
read about 14v. Increase the revs to 1500, and it jumps to 14.5.
Never saw the old one that high. It also seems to take a while to
react to switching on a load like the headlights - voltage jumps
around before settling. Old one reacted near instantly.
Not taken the car for a drive yet though. Perhaps it will settle down.
Odd I couldn't find a genuine spare.

If the battery was in a poor charge state, I can well believe 13.2V Are
you sure it had 'kicked in'?
A long time ago I cam across a faulty crimp on the star point of the
stator. Over time, and likely lots of temperature cycling, this had
eroded away and making poor connections. Did you check this connection?
I'm wondering if the faulty regulator wasn't the only issue, or perhaps
the symptom of a fault?

The answer was something I'm almost ashamed to mention. Used the original
fan belt which tensioned OK. And gave it a firm push to check it was so.
Left things that day and looked into trying to find a genuine regulator.
Got pretty well nowhere with that.

On looking at things the next day, the fan belt was loose. Very loose
indeed. Keep a new spare in the boot, so fitted that - the old had split
in a big way. Not the easiest of jobs on this car as things are quite
tight, but managed it with some barked knuckles. ;-)

Things now quiet, and volts reading more as I'd expect - now charging at
idle and reading 14.5v - which is higher than the old reg ever did. Most I
ever saw with that was 14.2 - and that very rarely.

My manual gives quite a tolerance for the on charge volts, and it's just
about OK (it says 14.4v max) Didn't bother checking things with the Fluke
- could be that is the onboard voltmeter error.

Now there are no nasty noises, I'll take it for a decent run and see what
things stabilise at once the battery is fully charged. The old stabilised
at 13.8v. And the battery always seemed fresh enough on a cold start.
Certainly don't want a too high charge rate once it's full, though.

[The Other Mike]

On Thu, 12 Mar 2020 15:18:45 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Magneti Marelli A127 IM-100, according to the plate on it, and sent the
details again.

A127 is a Lucas model type that was common from the 1980's onwards iirc

This Ebay listing mentions both Lucas and Marelli, the regulator and brush
assembly being combined unlike the earlier 60's and 70's era Lucas units

https://www.ebay.co.uk/c/1345362675


--

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Post by The Other Mike
On Thu, 12 Mar 2020 15:18:45 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Magneti Marelli A127 IM-100, according to the plate on it, and sent the
details again.

A127 is a Lucas model type that was common from the 1980's onwards iirc

Made by many different makers, and interchangeable as a unit. But
individual parts may or may not be. A127 also come with different outputs.

Post by The Other Mike
This Ebay listing mentions both Lucas and Marelli, the regulator and
brush assembly being combined unlike the earlier 60's and 70's era Lucas
units
https://www.ebay.co.uk/c/1345362675

[The Other Mike]

On Fri, 13 Mar 2020 11:27:06 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by The Other Mike
On Thu, 12 Mar 2020 15:18:45 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Magneti Marelli A127 IM-100, according to the plate on it, and sent the
details again.

A127 is a Lucas model type that was common from the 1980's onwards iirc

Made by many different makers, and interchangeable as a unit. But
individual parts may or may not be. A127 also come with different outputs.

Post by The Other Mike
This Ebay listing mentions both Lucas and Marelli, the regulator and
brush assembly being combined unlike the earlier 60's and 70's era Lucas
units
https://www.ebay.co.uk/c/1345362675

Some cross references here if there is a number on the regulator

https://www.veconline.co.uk/alternators-and-components/regulators/replacement-lucas-a127-type-12-volt-12v-alternator-voltage-regulator-ford-131277

The vast list looks like it fits just about anything that isn't
nippondenso or valeo :)

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Post by The Other Mike
On Fri, 13 Mar 2020 11:27:06 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)

Post by The Other Mike
On Thu, 12 Mar 2020 15:18:45 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"

Post by Dave Plowman (News)
Magneti Marelli A127 IM-100, according to the plate on it, and sent
the details again.

A127 is a Lucas model type that was common from the 1980's onwards iirc

Made by many different makers, and interchangeable as a unit. But
individual parts may or may not be. A127 also come with different outputs.

Post by The Other Mike
This Ebay listing mentions both Lucas and Marelli, the regulator and
brush assembly being combined unlike the earlier 60's and 70's era
Lucas units

https://www.ebay.co.uk/c/1345362675

Sadly, nothing like mine.

Post by The Other Mike
Some cross references here if there is a number on the regulator

https://www.veconline.co.uk/alternators-and-components/regulators/replacement-lucas-a127-type-12-volt-12v-alternator-voltage-regulator-ford-131277

Likewise.

Post by The Other Mike
The vast list looks like it fits just about anything that isn't
nippondenso or valeo :)

I did eventually find a 'part' number on it. Not obvious due to it being
engraved in matt black plastic. Entering just that number - RTM 153B -
bought a few hits. Pic looks similar except for having a heatsink which
mine doesn't have. Perhaps that's why it failed - if is has.

It appear to be a standard used across lots of makes. Could be the A127
had a redesign along the way. Early ones had external fans - mine is
internal. And the date on the unit 2003.

So ordered one up. Should be here in a couple of days.