On Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:42:27 +0100, Peter Hill
wrote:

On Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:15:37 +0100, "Duncan Wood"

Needs to measure the current drain from battery with everything off.
If it has a high drain current then disconnect alternator, if drain
current reduces the alternator charging circuit has blown.

Right. I hooked my portable battery pack up to his car and with
nothing turned on it's drawing around 50 A.

I tried to get to the alternator but it's round the back of the (poxy
stupid wankin transverse design g[1]) engine and in a plastic shroud
..

Following the wires back it looks like it terminates via a large
rectangular plug on an ally heat-sink looking plate mounted vertically
on the nearside end of the block (there are two plugs actually, could
it be an ignition amplifier or similar)? However, it feels like the
larger cable from the alternator joins something else behind there ...
starter relay possibly?

Anyway, we are going to tow it into my mates garage on Friday and he's
going to get it in the air for a closer look.

Local car spares places don't sell rectifier / regulator packs on
their own so if it is the alternator it could be the breakers first
then ... ?

Could be an expensive mistake for the lad. ;-(

T i m

p.s. It turns out the battery was connected in reverse for about a
minute (I know, you don't have to say). After it was correctly
connected he started and ran the car across the car park and that's
when he noticed the battery was hot and removed it again.

[1] I'm old and used to working on the MkII Escort based Kit car, the
Sierra and even my 218SD (where the alternator is right in the front).
;-)