BJ Alternator delayed charge

[zaxxon]

When I start my BJ up is seems that the alternator is not charging for a couple of minutes. The Volt gauge reads low and the lights are dim. Then the guage goes to where it should be and the lights get to their proper brightness level. I checked all the Battery connections and every thing is clean and tight. The Batts themselves are not in great shape and I have pulled and charged them twice this winter. I did not pay attention to the order I reinstalled them and this issue seems to have started after the last time I charged them. Any Ideas?

Zach

 

[mac]

Start w/ some fresh batteries and go from there. You can put a strain on your alternator if it continually has to work to charge a weak battery.

 

[UpsideDown]

What year and model of BJ are you driving?

Can't help out if you don't provide the proper info.

~j.

 

[Tapage]

check direct on the alternator output .. I'm not sure if you have internal V regulator .. but if not .. check before and after ir .. sometimes the V regulator box are little slow ..

 

[maxpowerHJ60]

alternator

For what it's worth my 87 HJ60 does the exact same thing, on cold mornings it usually takes about 30 secs or so to start charging.

 

[seapotato]

mines done it since I bought it, it actually doesn't kick in till it gets to 1600 rpm or so, then it turns on and works fine.

cheers,
r

 

[zaxxon]

What year and model of BJ are you driving?

Can't help out if you don't provide the proper info.

1987 BJ74 like it says below the post

mines done it since I bought it, it actually doesn't kick in till it gets to 1600 rpm or so, then it turns on and works fine.

cheers,

Thanks I am breakin down and buyin some new batts tommorow and it seems to be rpm related for me as well

 

[Eric Winkworth]

mines done it since I bought it, it actually doesn't kick in till it gets to 1600 rpm or so, then it turns on and works fine.

cheers,
r

mine does the same thing, now i have to rev it too almost 3000 to get the amp meter to read past half, time for brushes and batteries I suspect. As long as she charges eveytime other things on my list before that... I noticed the batterylight coming on when I was going through the 3 feet of pow we got a few weeks back, I don't think the altenator likes snow!!!

 

[Eric Winkworth]

I would check altenator output first, that way you will know if it is brushes, silly to go by two fresh batteries and keep a bad charging altenator

 

[fjbj40]

are you sure it is just not low voltage reading from the glow plugs glowing ? Did you check the output at the alt when you experience this because the factory gauges SUCK ! Mine reads low after starting but after the glow relay clicks off the voltage climbs up to 13.5 volts.

Daryl

 

[UpsideDown]

What year and model of BJ are you driving?

Can't help out if you don't provide the proper info.

1987 BJ74 like it says below the post

Info added after the fact doesn't really help...

 

[Fantom]

I have the same thing happening - if you look at your voltage readings and also listen to your Glow Plug relay you should notice that 1) your glow plugs stay in the "heating" stage after you start your engine (super glow system) 2) once the relay clicks and stops heating your plugs the voltage will return to proper charging voltage. On average in a superglow system I noticed that on stage 2 the plugs get around 4-5 VDC. If the batteries and charging system are sitting around 13.5-14VDC then it does drop. Have a look at your voltage when you turn on all the lights, heater, radio, etc. It does drop.

 

[zaxxon]

I would check altenator output first, that way you will know if it is brushes, silly to go by two fresh batteries and keep a bad charging altenator

I did have the charging system checked less than 8 months ago and the shop said it was great. I will run it down and get it checked again before I pick up my new Exides.

 

[zaxxon]

are you sure it is just not low voltage reading from the glow plugs glowing ? Did you check the output at the alt when you experience this because the factory gauges SUCK ! Mine reads low after starting but after the glow relay clicks off the voltage climbs up to 13.5 volts.

Daryl

I have the same thing happening - if you look at your voltage readings and also listen to your Glow Plug relay you should notice that 1) your glow plugs stay in the "heating" stage after you start your engine (super glow system) 2) once the relay clicks and stops heating your plugs the voltage will return to proper charging voltage. On average in a superglow system I noticed that on stage 2 the plugs get around 4-5 VDC. If the batteries and charging system are sitting around 13.5-14VDC then it does drop. Have a look at your voltage when you turn on all the lights, heater, radio, etc. It does drop.

My guage goes up and lights get brighter a little after I have already been deiving. I can hear the Glow screen relay kick out and the indicator light go out long before the amp meter goes to where it should be.