Some people (perhaps only those who frequent the diesel section) will already be aware that my ammeter has recently started showing "big readings" after 30 years of "barely moving".
Here are some pictures of the readings..
Headlights on with engine off:
Engine just started (so the battery is charging):
Now I was previously wondering whether my battery could somehow be to blame. But I've just replaced that:
The new battery in the above photo is the one on the right. I replaced the old one because my cruiser failed to start after 3 weeks of lying idle (and it was left idle because I've been refurbishing my doors). And at the first hint of battery problems ... my policy is REPLACE IT as a first step (provided it is at least 3 years old .... and this battery had just reached that age).
Note: Diesels have very high compression compared to petrol engines so they especially need a good battery. And they also need heat for combustion to occur (because they have no spark plugs). So 3 weeks of lying idle affects compression (and the associated "heat of compression") .. particularly in a worn engine ...and tends to make them "crank colder" and therefore more reluctant to start (even though the glow plugs may be performing OK).
Anyway...I've placed this thread on the general 40-series board because I think the charging system, fusible links, and ammeter (with its associated "typically seldom moves" description) is applicable to both petrol and diesel versions. and this is what the thread is really about.
And those pictures of the ammeter are not the full story. Immediately before ripping into this, my ammeter was showing "full-scale negative deflection" simply for "glowing my plugs".
Here are some pictures of the readings..
Headlights on with engine off:
Engine just started (so the battery is charging):
Now I was previously wondering whether my battery could somehow be to blame. But I've just replaced that:
The new battery in the above photo is the one on the right. I replaced the old one because my cruiser failed to start after 3 weeks of lying idle (and it was left idle because I've been refurbishing my doors). And at the first hint of battery problems ... my policy is REPLACE IT as a first step (provided it is at least 3 years old .... and this battery had just reached that age).
Note: Diesels have very high compression compared to petrol engines so they especially need a good battery. And they also need heat for combustion to occur (because they have no spark plugs). So 3 weeks of lying idle affects compression (and the associated "heat of compression") .. particularly in a worn engine ...and tends to make them "crank colder" and therefore more reluctant to start (even though the glow plugs may be performing OK).
Anyway...I've placed this thread on the general 40-series board because I think the charging system, fusible links, and ammeter (with its associated "typically seldom moves" description) is applicable to both petrol and diesel versions. and this is what the thread is really about.
And those pictures of the ammeter are not the full story. Immediately before ripping into this, my ammeter was showing "full-scale negative deflection" simply for "glowing my plugs".