Altonator issues

Hi all,

To start this is an 04 Jimny with 70k on the clock.

I have been experiencing issues recently with it, the altonator belt keeps snapping and squeeling, it's currently on its 3rd belt in a two month period, recently the old altonator appeared to give up and the car wouldn't charge. I swapped out the altonator however a few miles later the battery ran flat and it wouldn't charge again.

Not being the best when it comes to auto electrics i took it to an auto electrician, he said the altonator I fit was faulty and wasn't putting out enough power. He fit a new altonator and off I went, the next day on the way to work the squeel returned and the belt snapped. Fit a new belt and ran some tests.

On idle the car was fine, Rev it up, fine. Once the lights and the heater was on it was squeeling, turn all electric draw off the the squeeling stops.

I have concluded that when there is draw on the altonator and the resistance gets greater the belt slips around it and squeels, the belt cannot turn the altonator hard enough to keep it going.

The belt is tight enough and the altonator is new so unsure where to go, when the car was purchased the small white plastic clips for the heater were disconnected, I reconnected these and we had heat again but then the problems started. Is it possible that the heater is drawing way to much power and because of this the seller disconnected it to mask it?

I have taken it back to the auto electrician and will pop up to meet him to talk about it aswell, hoping at least if there's no help out there this may serve for someone in the future. (when we sort it anyway)

Replaced on the Jimny this year:-

Plugs
Filters
Oil
Coolant
Radiator
Both belts
Water pump
Battery
Altonator

Can't be much left to do now!

Probably the crankshaft pulley. Is it the two piece type i.e.the middle between the outer diameter and the inner diameter is rubber? It acts as a damper and overtime it breaks up and goes out of balance. This means the rotation is more oval than round and hence it eats the belts.

Might be worth a look see, would this contribute to the struggle to spin the altanator?

It is not always obvious unfortunately but I am speaking from experience as my daughters car(M13 engine) had just the same issue and after replacing two belts decided to replace the pulley as it is a known problem on the M13 engine. It has been as good as gold since.

Suppose another few hours on the ramps won't hurt, can I get it out without shifting the radiator?

If needs be I can take this out however

Some say yes but for the time it takes I took it out rather than taking a risk of damaging it plus the alternator belt is the back one and the steering belt needs to come off first. Good practice would be to fit new, correct length belts too!