2000 overcharging.

johnk

johnk

Member
Ever since i got my P6 a couple of years ago i've had an intermittent overcharging issue, the charging gauge swings massively to the right at which point the battery shows it's getting 17v on my multi meter, strangely this is usually accompanied by a misfire. It doesn't last for long, only 10-30 seconds but now that I have a usable car i'm starting to make my way through the previous owners (all 16 according to the v5) handywork. I found this when I unwrapped the wiring on the inner wing. I assume the box to be the regulator, What wires are supposed to go where and why do I have 4 wires but only 3 terminals, currently only 2 of which are connected?
 
That is a 6RA relay, not a regulator, but depending on the age of the car, and the type of alternator fitted, some charging systems have a 6RA in the circuit to stop the battery draining back through the alternator when the car is switched off.
 
Thanks Harvey. It's a 1972 2000tc, not sure of the alternator type though. I couldn't make out what wires went where when I looked at the circuit diagram in the Haynes manual. That appears to be the only thing on the inner wing where i thought they were mounted, where will the regulator be then?
 
That is the starter relay, there will be a tag missing.

That means that your ign switch is taking the starters curent (not good) instead of the relay.

colin
 
So I assume the two wires that have been connected to each other should be attached to the other two terminals of the relay? I will have a look later tonight but I don't remember seeing where a terminal had broken off.
 
If it's a 1972 model, the original alternator would have been an 11AC, so there would be a relay. There's always the possibility it may have been updated though. If the starter relay has been by-passed then it's only the operate current of the solenoid that's going through the ignition switch, the addition of the relay is just an example of good Rover engineering.
 
Personally, I would get a relay and fit it correctly. The W1, and W2 fire the relay and you connect the white/red and earth to them respectively. The thick brown goes to C2 (this is the power input from the shunt), and then the thick white/brown goes to C2 which goes to the solenoid to activate the starter motor.

Just type 6RA Relay into ebay, or give any of the P6 parts suppliers a call.

Richard
 
OK, I nipped out earlier and had a look and the c2 terminal is missing. I'll order one tomorrow, just another thing to add to my growing list of 'to do' jobs. This is probably why I sometimes just get a click when I turn the key.

Thanks for everyone's help. . . However I'm still left with the original charging problem. Is there a regulator and if so where is it hiding as I thought the starter relay was it?
 
Thanks Harvey, is there any way to test it or should I just replace it and hope for the best?
 
There are a series of test procedures in the Workshop manual. Otherwise all you can do is try to cure it by substituting parts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top