washed engine now alternator is dead?`

[gbanga]

Hi, I washed my engine (1994 Safari XT) the other day and now my alternator isn't charging. According to my inverter it's reading 10volts output. I replaced the battery a while ago with a solid one that should be fine. No other reason i can think of other than the washing as i've never done that before and it was with a pressure hose.... idiot

Any ideas on what's going on? I plan to get to as many connections as I can and hit them with some WD40, while trickle charging the battery up to speed.
Cheers Gordon

[jeff's93astro]

i've pressured washed a lot of motors and have never had that problem could be wet connection or coincidence

[Mr_Bowtie]

Let it dry up a couple days hopefully your problem goes away. I have never pressure washed a motor before just in case this could happen. My 4.3L likes to sit in its own filth anyways.

[zaida101]

I always wrap the alt and cap with plastic bags before cleaning although this is my first van and it might be harder to do.

[astro355]

I agree on letting it sit for a couple of days. But you could also check the major electrical connectors on the alternator, starter and battery. Any water in those connections will produce corrosion.

[LEVE]

I'll agree with letting the alternator dry out. However that said, pressure washing an engine without protecting the electronics is never a good idea. The pressure can drive water into normally sealed components like the MAF or the TPS sensors, among others.

I don't have a problem pressure washing if the sensors are covered... otherwise... nope... wouldn't do it.

[unrreal]

i've washed my engine before and i hit the alternator and it did leave me out in the middle of the road, towed it home let it sit for a couple of days and started right up (always make sure not to hit the alt. with water in these vans) just a word of advice.

[Jasen]

I've degreased and steamed probably 5000 motors and never had an Alt go out because of it. Like the other said, let it dry out, or squirt some WD40 around and blast it with the air nozzle.

[sfeaver]

I powerwash the motor each time I wash the car and have never had a problem.

[gbanga]

Cheers, I got as far into the alt without taking it out and hit it and every other connection with WD40. Charged the battery and fired it up but the battery light is on and my inverter is still reading 12.5V input when usually it's around 14. I spoke to the mech who reconditioned the Alt just before I bought it a yr ago and he said there's a good chance I fried the diodes. Not even sure what that is but he reckons it'll be $200 with labour and i don't know if I can be bothered fighting to get the Alt out it looks like a pain in the ***. On the other hand if it's something other than that he'll do it for free.

I've got an undercover garage but i'm in the snow and things don't dry out too well here either.

cheers G

[Jasen]

Good to hear your making progress.
The diodes are like a one way door, they let current only flow one way.

[astro355]

Cheers, I got as far into the alt without taking it out and hit it and every other connection with WD40. Charged the battery and fired it up but the battery light is on and my inverter is still reading 12.5V input when usually it's around 14. I spoke to the mech who reconditioned the Alt just before I bought it a yr ago and he said there's a good chance I fried the diodes. Not even sure what that is but he reckons it'll be $200 with labour and i don't know if I can be bothered fighting to get the Alt out it looks like a pain in the ***. On the other hand if it's something other than that he'll do it for free.

I've got an undercover garage but i'm in the snow and things don't dry out too well here either.

cheers G

Wait, what? A mechanic recommended a new alternator a year ago and you're having problems with it now after a pressure washer. I think you should get it changed and thank your lucky stars that it lasted this long.

[LEVE]

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[Leeann_93]

Cheers, I got as far into the alt without taking it out and hit it and every other connection with WD40. Charged the battery and fired it up but the battery light is on and my inverter is still reading 12.5V input when usually it's around 14. I spoke to the mech who reconditioned the Alt just before I bought it a yr ago and he said there's a good chance I fried the diodes. Not even sure what that is but he reckons it'll be $200 with labour and i don't know if I can be bothered fighting to get the Alt out it looks like a pain in the ***. On the other hand if it's something other than that he'll do it for free.

I've got an undercover garage but i'm in the snow and things don't dry out too well here either.

cheers G

Wait, what? A mechanic recommended a new alternator a year ago and you're having problems with it now after a pressure washer. I think you should get it changed and thank your lucky stars that it lasted this long.

He didn't say recommended, he said reconditioned.

[astro355]

Cheers, I got as far into the alt without taking it out and hit it and every other connection with WD40. Charged the battery and fired it up but the battery light is on and my inverter is still reading 12.5V input when usually it's around 14. I spoke to the mech who reconditioned the Alt just before I bought it a yr ago and he said there's a good chance I fried the diodes. Not even sure what that is but he reckons it'll be $200 with labour and i don't know if I can be bothered fighting to get the Alt out it looks like a pain in the ***. On the other hand if it's something other than that he'll do it for free.

I've got an undercover garage but i'm in the snow and things don't dry out too well here either.

cheers G

Wait, what? A mechanic recommended a new alternator a year ago and you're having problems with it now after a pressure washer. I think you should get it changed and thank your lucky stars that it lasted this long.

He didn't say recommended, he said reconditioned.

Oops, I used the wrong word. It should say reconditioned.

[gbanga]

[Wait, what? A mechanic recommended a new alternator a year ago and you're having problems with it now after a pressure washer. I think you should get it changed and thank your lucky stars that it lasted this long.]

It was reconditioned a yr ago, so whether you meant to write recommended or reconditioned your post still doesn't make sense..?

Getting a friend to come over and look at it with his multi metre see what comes of that before committing to the mechanic in town. Is it easier to access the back of the Alt (connections for leads) by removing the dog box or just the air cleaner assembly and dipsticks?

Cheers G

[astro355]

[Wait, what? A mechanic recommended a new alternator a year ago and you're having problems with it now after a pressure washer. I think you should get it changed and thank your lucky stars that it lasted this long.]

It was reconditioned a yr ago, so whether you meant to write recommended or reconditioned your post still doesn't make sense..?

Getting a friend to come over and look at it with his multi metre see what comes of that before committing to the mechanic in town. Is it easier to access the back of the Alt (connections for leads) by removing the dog box or just the air cleaner assembly and dipsticks?

Cheers G

It is by far more reliable (and in most some cases cheaper) to just replace the alternator than recondition it. It is also more reliable to take the alternator and have it tested. And by cheaper, I add into that the inconvenience of having a vehicle down.