Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dazmond on December 18, 2014, 07:56:47 pm

Title: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on December 18, 2014, 07:56:47 pm
estate work today so not too much driving about.battery light has been coming on the last few days.anyhow moved van about 50 metres and it struggled to start.pulled up and tried to start it again and nothing.

phoned breakdown and they turned up 2 hours later.luckily i could crack on with work while waiting for them to turn up but it was hammering it down for the last half hour! ::)roll

he charged battery for 10 mins and said he d follow me home(only 5 miles away)in case i couldnt make it!sure enough 2 mins from home and lights went out and van stopped.so he charged battery again.now home and dry! :)

ill phone garage tomorrow and book it in for 5th jan if i can.

so early start to the xmas holidays for me!

im going out in the car tomorrow with 70L of pure and backpack,22 SLX and trad gear!ive got 19 jobs left to do this week on estate work so i should get them done tomorrow then 2 weeks off
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Don Kee on December 18, 2014, 08:00:34 pm
Didnt you have a dodgy starter a month or so back and still keep using your van contrary to the advice alot of people gave?
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Dave Willis on December 18, 2014, 08:17:34 pm
Can't you fit a new one? Surely it's only two spanners?
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: ray mck on December 18, 2014, 08:28:41 pm
Or you could get alex to do it😍😍😍😍😍
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Dave Willis on December 18, 2014, 08:42:04 pm
Yeeeee Harrrrrr!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfX-TyuEBOw
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Clever Forum Name on December 18, 2014, 08:43:52 pm
Charge the van battery each night and use minimal electrical stuff during the day on the van (heater,lights etc)
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on December 18, 2014, 08:54:55 pm
Didnt you have a dodgy starter a month or so back and still keep using your van contrary to the advice alot of people gave?

new starter motor fitted 3 weeks ago mate. :).
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on December 18, 2014, 09:01:34 pm
Charge the van battery each night and use minimal electrical stuff during the day on the van (heater,lights etc)

im not gonna risk it mate.breakdown have already come out to me twice in a month.im only gonna lose 2 days work anyway(mon/tues next week).so early xmas break.

tomorrows work will be ok with a backpack for upper windows/trad ground floors but not the large country houses and commercial i had booked in for next week.

hey ho!looking forward to 2 weeks off TBH! ;D ;D

its been the best year ever for me in window cleaning so im a happy bunny really! :D :D
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Mike #1 on December 18, 2014, 09:28:49 pm
Why are you waiting till 5th Jan to book it in , my local garage will fit me in if it's urgent only needs a rush job once and had Truck back within a few hours .

Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Sean Dyer on December 18, 2014, 09:31:13 pm
estate work today so not too much driving about.battery light has been coming on the last few days.anyhow moved van about 50 metres and it struggled to start.pulled up and tried to start it again and nothing.

phoned breakdown and they turned up 2 hours later.luckily i could crack on with work while waiting for them to turn up but it was hammering it down for the last half hour! ::)roll

he charged battery for 10 mins and said he d follow me home(only 5 miles away)in case i couldnt make it!sure enough 2 mins from home and lights went out and van stopped.so he charged battery again.now home and dry! :)

ill phone garage tomorrow and book it in for 5th jan if i can.

so early start to the xmas holidays for me!

im going out in the car tomorrow with 70L of pure and backpack,22 SLX and trad gear!ive got 19 jobs left to do this week on estate work so i should get them done tomorrow then 2 weeks off

Sorry to hear that mate, but only hammering down for half hr??

Ive had non stop rain since yesterday morning, your in mcr arent u , why does it only rain on me?
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on December 18, 2014, 09:47:27 pm
Why are you waiting till 5th Jan to book it in , my local garage will fit me in if it's urgent only needs a rush job once and had Truck back within a few hours .



ill give my garage a ring tomorrow.he might be able to fit me in mon/tues next week but i reckon itll be more like 5th jan but you never know.

im mentally prepared for 2 weeks off now so even if he fitted me in monday i wouldnt go in work tuesday! ;)
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on December 18, 2014, 09:52:12 pm
estate work today so not too much driving about.battery light has been coming on the last few days.anyhow moved van about 50 metres and it struggled to start.pulled up and tried to start it again and nothing.

phoned breakdown and they turned up 2 hours later.luckily i could crack on with work while waiting for them to turn up but it was hammering it down for the last half hour! ::)roll

he charged battery for 10 mins and said he d follow me home(only 5 miles away)in case i couldnt make it!sure enough 2 mins from home and lights went out and van stopped.so he charged battery again.now home and dry! :)

ill phone garage tomorrow and book it in for 5th jan if i can.

so early start to the xmas holidays for me!

im going out in the car tomorrow with 70L of pure and backpack,22 SLX and trad gear!ive got 19 jobs left to do this week on estate work so i should get them done tomorrow then 2 weeks off

Sorry to hear that mate, but only hammering down for half hr??

Ive had non stop rain since yesterday morning, your in mcr arent u , why does it only rain on me?

haha sean!yeah its been raining on and off for days now but really heavy and windy this afternoon when i wanted to squeeze 2 more jobs in! ::)roll ;D
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Ian101 on December 18, 2014, 10:14:28 pm
douse the alternator in some flounce / vision / froff ... soon get yer going  :)
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: wfp master on December 18, 2014, 10:28:06 pm
estate work today so not too much driving about.battery light has been coming on the last few days.anyhow moved van about 50 metres and it struggled to start.pulled up and tried to start it again and nothing.

phoned breakdown and they turned up 2 hours later.luckily i could crack on with work while waiting for them to turn up but it was hammering it down for the last half hour! ::)roll

he charged battery for 10 mins and said he d follow me home(only 5 miles away)in case i couldnt make it!sure enough 2 mins from home and lights went out and van stopped.so he charged battery again.now home and dry! :)

ill phone garage tomorrow and book it in for 5th jan if i can.

so early start to the xmas holidays for me!

im going out in the car tomorrow with 70L of pure and backpack,22 SLX and trad gear!ive got 19 jobs left to do this week on estate work so i should get them done tomorrow then 2 weeks off
only an hours wage for you. to get a new one & get bit fitted.
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Spruce on December 19, 2014, 07:58:01 am
Can't you fit a new one? Surely it's only two spanners?

The early Connects had/have issues with the charging cable from the alternator to the battery. Its seems to occur mainly where the wire runs underneath the battery tray.
So just replacing the alternator may not be the only issue - this cable may also have to be replaced as well.

The insulation around the cable breaks down. Damp and wet can then cause charging problems as the wires are exposed. It may also just be this cable. Ford have a replacement cable for it.
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on December 19, 2014, 08:17:00 am
Can't you fit a new one? Surely it's only two spanners?

The early Connects had/have issues with the charging cable from the alternator to the battery. Its seems to occur mainly where the wire runs underneath the battery tray.
So just replacing the alternator may not be the only issue - this cable may also have to be replaced as well.

The insulation around the cable breaks down. Damp and wet can then cause charging problems as the wires are exposed. It may also just be this cable. Ford have a replacement cable for it.

ive heard that about these vans too spruce.its the wiring loom isnt it that can corrode?its an 05 so 9 years old,nearly 10!
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Matt. on December 19, 2014, 08:57:04 am
Just pick one up from scrap yard dazmond. Should only cost £30 to have fitted. It is only 2 nuts but Loads of messing about with the belt

Starter motor was prob ok an this was ya prob
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: deeege on December 19, 2014, 12:33:11 pm
It's threads like this which is the reason I'll only be using vans that are less than 3 years old, 0 van related downtime.
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Scrimble on December 19, 2014, 04:53:55 pm
It's threads like this which is the reason I'll only be using vans that are less than 3 years old, 0 van related downtime.

+1

Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dd on December 19, 2014, 04:59:47 pm
It's threads like this which is the reason I'll only be using vans that are less than 3 years old, 0 van related downtime.
Even new vans can have problems. I was thinking of replacing my 9 year old dispatch in the New Year, but from what I hear talking to a few people, the old vans are more reliable than the new. I therefore decided to stick with it, has not let me down so far (inviting trouble now).
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on December 19, 2014, 08:12:13 pm
Just pick one up from scrap yard dazmond. Should only cost £30 to have fitted. It is only 2 nuts but Loads of messing about with the belt

Starter motor was prob ok an this was ya prob


no matty the starter motor was knackered mate.got a new one fitted 3 weeks ago.im not messing about at a scrapyard!its booked in the garage for 9am tomorrow morning. ;)
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on December 19, 2014, 08:15:54 pm
It's threads like this which is the reason I'll only be using vans that are less than 3 years old, 0 van related downtime.

ive very rarely had any downtime due to van problems danny.not lost any days due to alternator or the starter motor.the odd day off here and there doesnt affect my schedule if its needs to go in the garage for a day. ;)
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Soupy on December 19, 2014, 10:29:20 pm
I try not to use anything newer than 2007. That's when car companies started bolting all sorts of unnecessary crap to engines.
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Mist A Bit on December 20, 2014, 08:29:51 am
I always have older vans with minimal trouble, they're easy to work on so save a fortune on garage costs. Had 98 Toyota hiace for 3 years and now got a 03 iveco which despite mixed reviews is turning out to be  the best van I've had, simple strong, powerfull , I gross out at 3.5tonnes and the suspension don't even  drop, true hard-core van
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dannymack on December 30, 2014, 07:06:48 pm
For me I'd never buy an old van especially with mileage ? Once it gets to around the 120,000 wear and tear kicks in, lots of parts fail and then all needs replacing no thanks not for me as I need a reliable van everyday.
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Johnny B on December 30, 2014, 08:55:15 pm
For me I'd never buy an old van especially with mileage ? Once it gets to around the 120,000 wear and tear kicks in, lots of parts fail and then all needs replacing no thanks not for me as I need a reliable van everyday.

It's always a gamble with secondhand vans. I had a mk2 Fiesta van a few years ago, it cost me £130 and had a year's MOT. It was a cracking little van, and we only parted company 18 months later when it was stolen, and written off by my insurers when recovered, even though it was intact.

I now have a Mk4 1.8D, costing just under a grand four and a half years ago. I had a few issues with it early on, but these were soon sorted, and together with its excellent bodywork, is now a great little motor.

John
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: jonboywalton75 on December 31, 2014, 08:06:15 am
My mate has just bought a bipper 2010, 27000 moles on the clock,  looks mint
over Xmas his power steering has failed,  so a warranty job, (hopefully,  depending on the dealer)

You just never know
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Soupy on December 31, 2014, 08:11:33 am
For me I'd never buy an old van especially with mileage ? Once it gets to around the 120,000 wear and tear kicks in, lots of parts fail and then all needs replacing no thanks not for me as I need a reliable van everyday.

Haha. 120k is new.

If it breaks just fix it. It's not exactly difficult, grease monkeys can do it.
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on December 31, 2014, 09:35:42 am
danny does a lot of miles though i think  but would you buy a brand new van if you were just using the van for work and doing about 2500-3000 miles a year?

my vans done just over 100,000 so if i kept it for 4 years id only put 12,000-15,000 miles on the clock.

alternator,starter motor,battery,cambelt,4 new tyres all replaced since i got the van in april.im gonna get some new windscreen wipers and a couple of little interior bulbs for it today.

brand new alternator cost me £180-00 (including fitting)

starter motor was £120-00(including fitting)

yuasa battery £120-00

cambelt £150-00 (including fitting)

4 new tyres £240-00(£60 each)

so £810-00 ive spent on it 9 months.van cost me £2,400 so just over £3200 altogether.
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: richard groves on December 31, 2014, 12:17:39 pm
It's threads like this which is the reason I'll only be using vans that are less than 3 years old, 0 van related downtime.
Even new vans can have problems. I was thinking of replacing my 9 year old dispatch in the New Year, but from what I hear talking to a few people, the old vans are more reliable than the new. I therefore decided to stick with it, has not let me down so far (inviting trouble now).
+1
My expert hdi is 10+ years old, owned it 7
Both alternator and starter motor had failed at different times in last couple of years
Both cost me about £30 for recons with minimum downtime, a morning on each.
Ok so about 6 weeks ago the clutch started to slip, 1 day off the road £580 inc new dual mass flywheel.
Previous to that I'd started to save for a newer truck and shopping around but will be keeping it now  ;)
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: mufcglen on December 31, 2014, 12:36:12 pm
For me I'd never buy an old van especially with mileage ? Once it gets to around the 120,000 wear and tear kicks in, lots of parts fail and then all needs replacing no thanks not for me as I need a reliable van everyday.

Haha. 120k is new.

If it breaks just fix it. It's not exactly difficult, grease monkeys can do it.

lol you say that but some people are just very incompetent,in my years of being a mechanic ive seen people who couldnt open the bonnet or change a wheel :o
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dannymack on January 01, 2015, 01:54:42 pm
Daz your spot in with me I was gonna repost and mention I do loads of miles so need to have new vans, I can see what yourself and others are saying, I Spose if I was only working around town then maybe would go for a van of around 3 to 5 years old maybe slightly Oder depending on condition.

I know with new vans as well they do go wrong but you do have warranty and on this transit I got a ford recovery.  I gotta point out with some warranty they don't cover quite a few things so you gotta read the small print and ask questions before you buy regarding warranties.
My van is only 2 years old in March I've had a new window screen as heater in it failed, my sensors at back stopped working had them done free but still hassle.
My fan belt was squeezing asked local garage to tighten it but these are different you need to change belt and other belt to get to it also had to change fuel filter as it kept saying it was blocked on the van computer had to pay out as not under warranty cost me £170. But would still stick with new vans due to loads of mileage I do, furthest I go is Leicester takes around 2 and half hours away as I'm in Essex. I lease hire which is good for me as I get a vat receipt each month as I'm vat registered I claim that back and lose the rest in tax.
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Window Lickers on January 01, 2015, 01:58:44 pm
My van is only 2 years old in March I've had a new window screen as heater in it failed

Is this on a transit custom?
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: CLEANCARE WC on January 01, 2015, 07:24:07 pm
just had a new gear box & clutch on my 56 Dispatch... £1400  ::)roll
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dazmond on January 02, 2015, 05:28:04 pm
just had a new gear box & clutch on my 56 Dispatch... £1400  ::)roll

ouch!!!! :(
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: dannymack on January 03, 2015, 03:58:56 pm
Sorry for late response window licker, yes m8 it's the transit custom trend.
Title: Re: alternator gone on my van now!
Post by: Clever Forum Name on January 03, 2015, 04:05:14 pm
Sorry for late response window licker, yes m8 it's the transit custom trend.

Heated screens are a common issue on the new customs.

Becarful on the squealing alt belt bud as that's a give away water could be wetting the area. Most customs leak water onto that area when it rains. Good old ford design eh!

I love my custom. Having had a new van and another on order. I would only stick to new vans now. Or at least a year old. My van is my office. I don't want to go to work in a smelly knackered van.

A mate of mine has just bought a new van. 12 years old. Nearly chocked when I saw it. No sense in buying a 12 year old van. The mileage is irrelevant (90k) everything else is 12 years old. He said the ride is Spongey and the van has play in the steering. Wonder why ???