By garrett on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 06:41 pm: Edit

I have a '96 Discovery 4.0 (US Model) and have had a alternator problem for some time now, but have yet to really find the solution. I originally had the v-belt replaced with an aftermarket one. After realizing that the tach was not functioning and knowing that is caused by the aftermarket belt not spinning it at the proper RPM's and therefore not charging the system. I went and replaced it with a genuine LR belt. All was good for just a little bit. But I was still having problems with the alt. charging 50% of the time. So eventually I went and replaced the alt. Still having the same problems......on warmer days and when I am not putting a load on the truck (i.e. lights, heater, rear defrost, etc) the tach functions and the system is charging fine. But on colder days and when the lights are on the tach and the system are charging only after cruising for a good while and as long as I do not come to a stop. I did some cleaning of the wire that connects from the alt. to the tach. This seemed to help a good bit......the tach works more than it use to. The belt is starting to squeal now too. Was not doing this before.....this only happens when the system is not working, with a non functioning tach and with the truck driving. It has been this way for a few months now. The truck does not die and no lights come on, since it is charging enough of the time to keep the battery with enough power. Could my local garage have tighten the belt too much? What are some other things I should be looking for? Thanks for the help.

By Nathan Crabtree (Nathan) on Sunday, March 18, 2001 - 07:37 pm: Edit

Garrett
You might want to have the voltage regulator checked or replaced. The belt squealing is an indication that it is to loose, not to tight.
Nathan

By Rob on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 01:16 pm: Edit

Garrett,

This answer is a little late and if you are still out there I would like to know if I am right. I say that they routed your belt incorrectly. It is very easy to do and your Disco would still run relatively fine but all the symptoms point to that.
Am I right?

By garrett on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 02:33 pm: Edit

You got it!!! That thing drove me crazy for sure. My local yocal guy here in town was pretty clueless. I had actually mentioned to him that I had a feeling it was not routed right. There was just not enough of the belt routing around the alt. pully. Therefor it was slipping half the time and when a little wet all the time. So after replacing one alt. and a belt it is all fine now. Took it too a Bosch specialist here in town that is pretty good.......should have gone there first thing, but I just did not have the time for the car to sit there all day. Took him all of 5 mintues to see thta it was routed wrong. Live and you learn.

By Rob on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 04:33 pm: Edit

I hate to say but I had the same experience. I was on vacation and was stuck in Maryland for 2 extra days. (hopefully someone else will read this and it will help them)
Thanks for your input on my other question. If you know anythign about the bearing it would sure help.