Mean Green Cooking My Battery?

[Errant]

After waiting nearly a month for my Mean Green alternator (part #1372) to arrive, then replacing my serpentine belt (Gates K070905) because my friend had routed it wrong, I'm still having problems. I put the new belt on, then took it for a test dirve (20 minutes), and everything seemed good. On my second trip I drove for about ten minutes before the battery light came on, then tachometer went, then stereo made a horrible noise, then seat belt alarm came on, then noticed burning smell. I pulled over and checked under the hood with engine still running, and couldn't detect any smoke, all pulleys and belt were turning fine. Alternator smelled OK, then realized the smell was the battery. It felt very hot and the label appears to be slightly burned. I turned off the engine, restarted fine and drove back home (still burning smell, seat belt alarm sounding, battery light on, no tach, no stereo).

Is this a problem with my new alternator? Perhaps the regulator isn't working? Or do I need a different battery for the high output alt? Is there something else I need to check? This is a '98 Disco I, with about 60K.

 

[bazzle]

Brand of Alt shouldnt make any diff. Put a voltmeter on battery when running. Should be 13.8 to 14.5 approx.

Bazzle

 

[marc olivares]

if your noticing swelling in your battery, it's time to change!!!

be very, very careful changing a battery that has expanded. i've seen a few batteries explode in my shop and it isn't pretty. put on some saftey glasses before you do anything else around that battery. check your voltage to make sure your not over-charging and change that swollen battery!

be safe...

 

[Errant]

So you think it's just a problem with the battery, and not the alternator? My friend said the battery was good when he changed the alt... but then again, he DID route my belt wrong! Ya think I should splurge on one of those Red Tops I've read about? I don't have a winch, but I do have the factory Hellas on the brush bar.

 

[marc olivares]

kristina,

i would first check the output of the alternator. it could be overcharging or just on the blink, especially if your getting tach rpm drops and radio noise. by good, did your friend do a amp draw check on the battery? or did he just check the voltage at the posts?

check and or change your battery. optimas are great, have em' in mine. check costco for best prices!

but most importantly, make sure when it all goes back together, the pullies turn the correct direction

good luck

 

[Errant]

I'll see if I can get someone to check the output on the alt, to be sure that's not the problem. I'm not sure what kinda check was done on the battery. Maybe I can find out at the local autozone, as I check prices on the Optima. I checked the Optima website, and they don't list a battery that works with my Disco. Any suggestions on the part number I'll need?

 

[antichrist]

I'll see if I can get someone to check the output on the alt, to be sure that's not the problem. I'm not sure what kinda check was done on the battery. Maybe I can find out at the local autozone, as I check prices on the Optima. I checked the Optima website, and they don't list a battery that works with my Disco. Any suggestions on the part number I'll need?

NAPA sells the Exide Spiral Cell, labled NAPA, but that's the only difference. Don't worry about part numbers, just measure your space and get one that fits. I'd be very surprised if either Optima or Exide won't fit. I don't think NAPA carries their Xtreme Duty battery yet, but, depending on where you are, there may be a local branch near you.

 

[Errant]

Just called the local autozone, and they've got the Optima Red Top D34 for $119... plus they'll check my alternator and old battery out first. Looks like I'll be going there tomorrow. I'll let you all know the results.

 

[Errant]

Something we may have overlooked... what's causing the audible warning? There's a tone that sounds when the key is in the II position (as though the driver's door is left open). It does not go away, nor does the battery light, even the the Disco starts. I just took the battery off the charger, so it's full. Nothing electrical works (windows, radio, etc) either with the key in the II position, or with the engine started (starts fine, btw). Could it be as simple as something having just become unplugged, or a shorted wire? Any ideas as to what I could look for? I really can't afford to take it to the shop

 

[syoung]

or a bad ignition switch?

 

[Errant]

or a bad ignition switch?

Is there a way I could test that? I've not had any previous problems with the ignition, but then again, I've not had any of these other problems before either. I'm about ready to pull my hair out

Now I've gotta go find something to cover my window... it's part way down and it's getting ready to rain/snow.

 

[peter sherman]

Kris, [my I] I am very suspect of your mean green! I have heard horrer stories about them! The most recent was from my aternator guy!! He had a guy come in the shop with one that was the same alt he could have bought over the counter at any parts store for 1/3 the cost!! Nothing fancy just a MG sticker on it! The amperage was the same as stock!! That is what you pay extra for!!
My alt bearings just a week ago went out on my d1 & I bought the parts from him & rebuilt myself for 10 dollars! The rebuild took one hour to do. I learned a lot about Mag Morrlli's. I am not sure if you need the extra amps if you don't have a winch or lights that you use ALL the time. It sounds to me like you may have the wrong regulater in the MG?!
Causing the over charge of your batt> the audible sound sounds like the wrong rectifier?
Does your tack work? I see that your tach does not work! That is driven by your alt I belive! It is on a d1!
I would rebuild you original alt & send your MG Back!
My retarded 2 cents!
Good luck! Peter

 

[marc olivares]

kristina,

i don't think it's your ignition switch.
my gut says that your alt took a crap and smoked your battery and possibly your MFU (multi function unit) which would make your audible alarm go wacky. Andy Thoma had a simliar issue with his MFU and his audible alarm went non-stop , that is until he finally until unplugged it.

get it checked out before it causes you any more electrical headaches

oh and as far as what optima?, the 12v red top comes in 2 versions, the 800S (top mount) or the 800U (top and side mount).
the 800S is the one to use in your case.

 

[syoung]

If you have anything else wired to the battery, the quad post red top makes hooking extra stuff to the battery easier.
The reason I mentioned the switch is because I had a similar problem on my D1. Things wouldn't work on position II, although the truck would start.
Sounds like that silly expensive alternator is causing more problems than the cheapo AutoZone ones.

 

[Errant]

Ugh, this seriously sucks. Who knows how long it'll take Mean Green to get a replacement alternator out to me, I'll *try* to get ahold of them tomorrow. I went with them because I do have auxilliary lighting that I use quite a bit, and actually the price ($299+18 shipping) wasn't much more than anything else I was able to find. You guys think I should just push for a full refund, rather than an exchange? And if so, any recommendations on where to purchase the next one from?

As far as the MFU, is that the one behind the interior fuse panel? Brittish International lists two for my year, the other is in the engine compartment. Or maybe I need both? Is there any way to test, short of replacement?

 

[antichrist]

Just called the local autozone, and they've got the Optima Red Top D34 for $119... plus they'll check my alternator and old battery out first. Looks like I'll be going there tomorrow. I'll let you all know the results.

That's what I did. saw it at Autozone for that, then went over to NAPA and they matched the price and gave me an Exide for $119.

 

[Errant]

Do any of you have a spare MFU??

 

[marc olivares]

i've got one...you sure that's it? did you get it checked yet?

 

[Errant]

I didn't take it to be checked yet. It's pouring rain and I'm a bit nervous about driving it all the way there without lights/defroster/etc. Plus, I'd like to figure out how to make that beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep go away... it's a bit unsettling. I'll try taking a look at the fuses in the morning, to see if I can pull one to make it stop. Or can I unplug the MFU entirely?

 

[Errant]

I took a look at the fuses today, and one of the six main circuit fuses in the engine fuse box is totally fried... it's the 100 amp alternator fuse
My Owner's Manual says these are dealer replaceable only... is that correct?