914 1.8 alternator wtb please

[dt4]

it looks like I need to replace the alternator on my 1.8 having possibly fried but mis connecting the battery

[LMR]

Your existing one can be rebuilt. A local auto electrician should be able to sort it

[dt4]

OK cheers, I have been searching for local capability
I'll give them a call once I have it off the car

[dt4]

Is any one able to confirm the battery size for a 1.8 please, it looks to be a type 063?

[defianty]

Is any one able to confirm the battery size for a 1.8 please, it looks to be a type 063?

That is correct.

[dt4]

thank you

[dt4]

so the latest...

I tracked an alternator down and fitted it at the weekend

With the ignition on I can hear the fuel pump running at the front, when I turn the key to start it is very slow to crank and is not firing, its as though the battery is virtually flat
I swapped out the battery for a spare that I believe to be good but the same result.

Looking for suggestions as to what else to check please

I am an electrical numbskull and whilst I have a circuit tester I have no clue how to use it.

[John_F]

For what its worth, my 2.0 914 used to crank very slowly. I thought it was the battery on the way out as well but got the same result with a new battery. Like you, I'm a numbskull when it comes to electrics. My local garage suspected the battery earthing strap needed replacing which they did.
Bingo! - Engine spun like a top.

[defianty]

My local garage suspected the battery earthing strap needed replacing which they did.
Bingo! - Engine spun like a top.

Checking/changing the earth strap was going to be my recommendation on what to check first.

[dt4]

earthing strap - is that the same as negative lead?
told you I was electrically challenged
I can weld and paint and fabricate by way of balance

[defianty]

earthing strap - is that the same as negative lead?
told you I was electrically challenged
I can weld and paint and fabricate by way of balance

Yeah, the negative lead that connects the battery to the ground point on the inner wing. Something like THIS would be perfect. Just order one the correct length.

Be sure to check that where it connects to the body is clean and free of any paint so it makes a good connection with the chassis.

[dt4]

I checked the earthing strap and connection to the wing, its on clean metal and looks good.
I checked the positive from the battery through to the started and the earth from the body to the back of the gear box, all look good and are on clean metal.
The battery looks to be putting out 12.5v on the bench but I'll need to get the Mrs to crank the engine and see what it puts out when trying to start the car to see if the battery is past it.

Is there a way of testing the starter motor?

[defianty]

There's another ground strap from the gearbox that bolts to the underside of the trunk floor. Worth checking that too.

[dt4]

Thanks Stephen, I will search it out, it maybe that's the one I have checked, it was towards the exhaust end.
It sounds like there are two, so I will look for the other

[dt4]

cant see another earth strap

I got the Mrs to turn the key whilst I checked battery volts, one battery dropped from 12.5 to 9.5, the other dropped from 12.5 to 10.6
does that suggest healthy battery and a dodgy starter motor?
can a starter motor be tested on the bench with a battery?