3 Engine Lights ? Alternator

[Saltdog]

My Brake, Battery and Burnt out back lights, are all on at the same time, This happend all at once as I was driving home from work. I did some research on it and found that other guys had this problem when their alternator was going. I checked my alternator and it wasn't making any charge. I pulled it and it needs new brushes.

My question is: On the shaft of the alternator is there suppose to be groves for the brushes to run in? Mine have about 1mm grove where each brush should go. I can't tell if this is wear or if it was machined in. (See picture)


Any help or at best a picture would be awsome

 

[jetjock]

The slip rings should be smooth. If not they'll significantly reduce the service life of the new brushes. Either turn them or replace the alternator.

 

[bowsercake]

I just did a search for this all over SF and SM and I'm pretty sure that those three lights on means that your alternator is bad or going bad.

 

[Saltdog]

Yes I know my alternator is bad. I just tested it and I am only getting 12.5volts out of it. And I checked my brushes and they are done.

All I want to know if there is suppose to be grooves that the brushes run in on the shaft?

It says in the TSRM that you only need approx. 1.5mm of brush to still make connection. I have just over 2.5 mm of brush left but because there is a groove they don't make proper connection. I want to know if I can just change the brushes or if my shaft is messed up.

 

[Halsupramk3]

this may mean your diode is out in the alt. The current flows backwards to a ground point for all three of these lights. the current flows backwards and lights them up. This what was wrong with mine when it had this problem.