TJP55 Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 The battery light on the dashboard of my 1986 Peugeot 505 Gas turbo has started lighting up when driving the car. This has never happened before. It seems to go off at higher rpm, but returns at idle. Is this a problem with the alternator, battery or something else? Everything seems to be working fine otherwise. The alternator is five years old and the battery is 4 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bean Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 I would check connections and grounds first, then suspect the alternator. Age in years is ok for battery life, but mileage is a better measure for the alternator. Longevity of either depends on the quality of part installed as well. Rabin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keebs Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Your alternator is the culprit. Check for loose connections and loose belts. After those check out, check if the batt voltage is 13>15 volts while engine is at idle then raise rpm to 2500 it should remain consistent. If you have too many accessories (big stereo, electric fans) the alternator might not have enough output at idle to run everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keebs Posted November 26, 2014 Report Share Posted November 26, 2014 Guess I walked away from the screen too long while typing and Rabin beat me to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJP55 Posted November 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 The alternator has 14,000 miles on it. It's an Autolite 15647 alternator from OReilly auto parts. I measured the voltage at idle and it was only 11.6 volts. I took it back to OReilly and they tested it and confirmed it was bad. It came with a lifetime warranty, but OReilly doesn't carry it anymore. They are looking for a replacement. If they can't find one, they'll probably just issue a refund. I see that Autozone still shows a Duralast alternator for the 1986 Peugeot 505. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keebs Posted November 29, 2014 Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 If that doesn't work out there are still a few alternator shops out there that will repair it. Another option is to mount a GM alternator, they're cheap and probably the most popular alternator on earth so parts will never be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJP55 Posted November 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2014 OReilly could not find a replacement alternator. They refunded the purchase price and allowed me to keep the alternator. A replacement alternator is also not available at Autozone. I guess I'll see if I can find someone to repair it. Which GM alternators would fit my 1986 Peugeot 505 Turbo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keebs Posted November 30, 2014 Report Share Posted November 30, 2014 Any 10si or 12si, maybe even a cs130. The 10si only has about a 60a output so I wouldn't recommend it. To make one fit the lower mounting point needs to be trimmed to fit the bracket and the case ground down on one side to gain engine clearance. I can't remember but I think I had to do a minor rewire to work. There may be better fitting alternators out there, I just happened to have this kind laying around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJP55 Posted December 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 I found a remanufactured alternator on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Industries-Alternator-A1273-/380981905639 I installed it today and it's working fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptootsov Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I think I'm going to be ordering from this vendor as well as I just had to rescue my daughter yesterday. The alternator on my '87 505 STX is only putting out 13.49 volts at idle, less with headlights on. Get got to school and it would not start anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bean Posted December 20, 2014 Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 13.5v at idle is well within spec, but it should come up higher when revved. You might need to look at connections and battery condition as well. Rabin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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