Alternator Smoke after closed loop conversion

[NoahR]

Hi all,

I've just done a closed-loop conversion, however, it seems that there's a very small amount of white smoke coming from the alternator area of the engine bay. It's such a small amount that it's hard to see what it's coming out of specifically.

This occurred from the moment I turned the car on.

I initially put it down to having spilt quite a lot of power steering fluid last time I worked on the car (I hadn't reconnected the reservoir properly when I topped it up), however, it didn't go away even after about 20 min of idle (nor did it get any worse). Annoyingly, I didn't start the car today before I worked on the closed loop conversion, so it perhaps could still be a result of the area being covered in fluid.

There isn't an alternator light on on the dash, but I wonder if it could be something todo with the power draw from the new o2 sensor.

I've got a video at the start and at the end https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing. Although its harder to see in the end video, there was still approximately the same amount of smoke coming out. Elanscan file from the same idle session on this thread: viewtopic.php?f=34&t=30578

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Fredjohn]

There's been quite a few posts of some alternator control units not having enough output to power the O² sensor.
A quick search will provide a solution I believe. Basically upgrading the control unit.

[NoahR]

There's been quite a few posts of some alternator control units not having enough output to power the O² sensor.
A quick search will provide a solution I believe. Basically upgrading the control unit.

Thanks Fredjohn - I've seen a few posts around this, but assumed the alternator light would come on if it was struggling for power. I take it this isn't so then?

I understand that the light coming on is normally todo with a power drain taking it below 12v - the gauage showed 12v normally.

I suppose, therefore, trying to verify it is actually an altornator issue and not something else smoking.

[Blaster]

There's been quite a few posts of some alternator control units not having enough output to power the O² sensor.
A quick search will provide a solution I believe. Basically upgrading the control unit.

Thanks Fredjohn - I've seen a few posts around this, but assumed the alternator light would come on if it was struggling for power. I take it this isn't so then?

I understand that the light coming on is normally todo with a power drain taking it below 12v - the gauage showed 12v normally.

I suppose, therefore, trying to verify it is actually an altornator issue and not something else smoking.

when my alternator went up in smoke you could not miss it as the armature burnt out. If you are only getting 12V then it is not charging. The ignition light supplies a small current to energize the alternator to give a magnetic field to get the it to start producing the correct voltage.

[NoahR]

Thanks Blaster! As in the battery's not charging? - Its been on 12v for a long time by the sounds of it (from speaking with the previous owner), so I'm supprised its not dead.

[NoahR]

Summary for those reading this down the line.

Turned out it was all fine, and the smoke must have just been from the PS fluid. The low battery voltage was a result of grubby/loose battery terminals. No issues in the end.

[peteoddcar]

Thanks for taking the time to mention the answer to your problem. Helps us all
Invariably the electrical problems have a simple explanation.

[NoahR]

Thanks for taking the time to mention the answer to your problem. Helps us all
Invariably the electrical problems have a simple explanation.

No problem! - I have spent many hours reading threads from 15 years ago on this forum, and am always pleased when one has a clear answer at the end haha!