I took my Zed in to the mechanics to have the alternator replaced (with a rebuilt unit) a few weeks back. When I picked it up the mechanic tried to tell me that; 1) the HID headlights were drawing too much current for the alternator to handle. 2) the electric thermo fan was drawing too much current for the alternator to handle. 3) the headlights are wired wrong because the low beams turn off when the high beams come on. 4) that the HID headlights were wired up wrong, that they didn't have a "transformer" (ballast) and the bulbs were just wired directly in to 12volts. When I asked why they went ahead and fitted a standard output alternator (rather than a high output unit) knowing that it would not output enough current they changed their story, said it was just the headlights that were a problem, but the alternator was "covering" and that it just might burn out in a year or 2. The guy also tried to tell me that when people install big stereo systems in a car the reason they use amplifiers is to amplify the power so that it doesn't draw any more current from the alternator. First thing I did when I got the car home was check the current draw of the HID headlights, each light was < 7amp spike at startup and down to < 4amps within a minute. I also replaced the whole HID setup because one of the bulbs had part of the plastic broken off and wouldn't mount securely. About 2 weeks after the alternator was replaced it died again. I took the Zed to a real auto electrician, they checked the wiring and the alternator and confirmed that the alternator is dead. I took the Zed back to the original mechanic to have the alternator replaced under warranty. He has agreed to replace the alternator under warranty but is insisting that the HID headlights are drawing too much current and were the cause of the alternator burning out. I asked the mechanic how many amps the headlights were drawing... he did not know. I asked the mechanic how many amps the "standard" alternator they had used was rated at... he did not know, eventually guessed at 60amps. He is insisting that I replace the HIDs with standard bulbs or they will not warranty the replacement alternator. I don't know if the problem is that the alternator is faulty or that there is something wrong in the electrical system that needs to be fixed. I don't believe that it's the HID hedlights causing the problem but if there is a problem somewhere then I want it found and fixed. Any suggestions on what to have checked?
Unsure as to why alternators keep drying, however I seriously doubt that it has anything to do with HID lights. Cars overseas run them constantly and sometimes as standard (on a few unique cars). Zeds here run them all the time without a worry. HIDS are a higher wattage and do draw extra power but not ANYWHERE NEAR enough AMPS to cause your alternator to burn out. (Unless they are some super HIDs that put out 8000watt @ 30AMP but you arent going to find that unless you are looking at industrial Metal-Halide lamps used for illuminating factories and aircraft hangers. But these bulbs are the size of a football so it would never work) My suggestion would be to contact a member called O'Connor Television (he is an electrical engineer) and he would be able to tell you for certain if it was the HID or not. He may even be able to point you to other culprits. peace
listen to greg. HIDs draw less current than standard halos and big power stereos strain the alternator - common knowledge that totally contradicts what your mechanic told you. get your refund and bail. steer clear of sh!t talking mechanics.
Forgot to mention. You are welcome to bring your Zed into the Zed shed (Oconnor television's shop - Auto and house hold electrics as well as Zed mechanics) You are welcome to come in and have us do the work or even use the shop to do your own work. The shop is in Geelong, not sure if this is near you or not but if it is convenient then come on in. A lot of Zed guys are just dropping in to talk shit and fix their Zeds all the time now. THE ZED SHED - 8 Maxwell Ave, Belmont, Geelong 3216.
just make the guy happy first. since he is being a prick about not covering the alternator for warranty if u dont change back to normal globes then just do that first. disconnect the hid's and leave it all in place but hidden... drive out of there with the warranty... then reinstall it and double check everything properly with another auto elec
I have organised to take the Zed back to the real auto electrician as soon as the mechanic replaces the alternator. He's going to check out the HIDs and anything else in the car that may be suspect. He's telling me that it's most likely that something was done wrong in the rebuild and that it is not a problem with anything else in the cars electrical system. I only took it where I did in the first place because they advertise as being an auto electrician, when I got the zed there I discovered that they are just a mechanic workshop and not a specialist auto electrician. The mechanic claims that the alternator is so burnt out (all the diodes and regulators) that it can't be rebuilt. I have to wonder if they actually had a rebuilt unit put in or if they just cleaned up an old one and stuck it in? They were really keen to tell me how there were problems with the electrics in my car and that the alternator probably wouldn't last more than a year or 2, but had no interest in fixing the supposed problems.
I'm in Brunswick so Geelong isn't real close, but then I don't mind a bit of a drive (that's why I own a Zed). I'll try and make it down there some time soon, I've got a few things I'd like to get sorted out in the car.
I thought so too, but not worth the cost as it's only a bit more for a new alt. And tell the mechanic dickhead that HID's are a factory option on the late model Zeds I ran them for years with no hassles. Pex has too, and he was one of the first here to do it. He's got 3 sets in the car at the moment and it hasn't melted from all the POOOWWWAAAAHHHH draw.
1. ur fault for taking it to a non zed specialist or even a NON AUTO ELEC... 2. he hasnt changed the alternator. if he has ask for the receipt where he got it from.... :bash:
am still waiting to get my Zed back from the mechanic as they apparently haven't been able to get an alternator for it yet.
Hell, I have the PEX headlight Modification done, so I can run all 3 sets simultaneously on the yellow car. Volts never drops below 13.7
had to call the police to get my car back... I went down to pick up my Zed from the mechanics today, they replaced the alternator under warranty but were still trying to blame the HID headlights for the alternator burning out. When I explained that I had replaced the entire HID system since having the alternator replaced they changed their story and tried to claim that the new HID system had the wrong bulbs and that would cause a short because they didn't fit in properly and were bouncing around. They showed me the bulbs moving, I checked and found that they had unclipped the bulbs and not clipped them back in properly. I showed them how to clip them in properly and that the bulbs did not move when clipped in properly. They insisted that I sign something on the invoice to say that I agreed that there would be no warranty on the alternator because of the "poor globe mounting" (which I had already proved was wrong). I refused to sign and when I tried to leave the mechanic parked a van and another car behind me so that I could not get my car out. I called the police. They advised the mechanic to let me take my car, they then told me to call them back if they had not let me out within 5 minutes. They still refused to allow me to take my car so I called the police again. The police came down to the workshop and ordered them to allow me to take my car. The mechanic moved the car that was blocking me but the police left before he moved the van. The owner of the workshop arrived as soon as the police had left (I suspect he was waiting around the corner for them to leave). He refused to move the van, told me that he was not afraid of the police and then he hit me. I immediately called the police to report the assault and the fact that they were still refusing to let me take my car. Only after that did the workshop owner eventually move the van and allow me to take my car.
So you were willing to pay, but just not sign some weird waiver??? and they did that???? Not mentally balanced I reckon, and certainly not even good mechanics. I think this place needs their name and details posted up so we can all keep well clear. No one likes to name and shame, but who wants to get assaulted
A.M.R. Workshop on Albert St in Brunswick. They also advertise as "Brunswick Auto Electrics". There was another forum member has a silver TT down there at the moment, I had a quick chat to him while the cops were there talking to the mechanic. Hope he has a better experience than I did.
