1979 Triumph SpitfireFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE

General Servicing

CHARGING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
  • No output
 1) Sticking brushes. 1) Replace brushes and springs.
2) Dirty brushes and slip rings. 2) Clean.
3) Loose or dirty connections. 3) Clean and tighten.
4) Broken leads. 4) Replace.
5) Open stator winding. 5) Repair or replace stator.
6) Open rotor winding. 6) Replace rotor.
7) Open diodes. 7) Replace diodes.
8) Shorted rotor. 8) Replace rotor.
9) Shorted stator. 9) Replace or repair stator.
10) Grounded terminal. 10) Replace insulator.
11) Broken fan belt. 11) Replace belt.
12) Blown fuse or defective contact. 12) Replace or repair.
  • Excessive output
 1) Broken neutral wire. 1) Replace wire.
2) Defective voltage regulator. 2) Check and repair or replace.
3) Poor ground of alternator and regulator terminals. 3) Clean and tighten mountings and terminals.
4) Broken ground wire. 4) Replace wire.
  • Low output
 1) Loose or worn fan belt. 1) Adjust or replace belt.
2) Sticking brushes. 2) Correct or replace brushes and/or springs.
3) Low brush spring tension. 3) Replace springs.
4) Defective regulator. 4) Adjust or replace.
5) Dirty slip rings. 5) Clean.
6) Partial short, ground, or open in stator winding. 6) Replace stator.
7) Partial short, ground or open in rotor winding. 7) Replace rotor.
8) Open diode. 8) Replace diode.
  • Noisy alternator
 1) Loose mounting. 1) Tighten mounting bolts.
2) Loose drive pulley. 3) Tighten pulley.
3) Defective alternator bearing. 3) Replace bearing.
4) Brushes improperly seated. 4) Seat brushes correctly.
Factory Service Tools

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.

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