Removal/refitting

The alternator provides electrical energy to the electronic control units and the varioous vehicle functions when the engine is running.

It also supplies current to the accumulator (battery) in order for it to be able to supply current when the engine is stationary.

The electrical current is generated by a rotor which "cuts" a magnetic field generated by a fixed coil (stator). The rotor is integrated with a pulley which is directly actuated by the crankshaft by way of a belt. The contact brushes supply the rotor with the excitation current.

The alternating voltage generated by the alternator and rectifier is regulated by diodes and by the voltage regulator located on the body of the alternator. The electronic voltage regulator used is wear free and small in size and guarantees that a constant voltage is supplied to all the fields of operation of the engine whatever the difference in loading and r.p.m.

A cooling fan turns together with the pulley and enables the alternator to avoid reaching dangerous temperatures which would affect its operation.

The alternator installed on the vehicle is of the claw terminal type with collecting rings: it is light and compact. It is fixed to the engine by brackets of which the lower is slotted to facilitate tensioning of the drive belt (see GROUP 00).

CAUTION The fan will correctly cool the alternator if it turns in a certain direction: CORRECT ROTATION OF THE ALTERNATOR: CLOCKWISE (SEEN FROM PULLEY SIDE).

REMOVAL/REFITTING

1. Place the vehicle on a lift.
   • Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.