Common Questions

1. How do I know if my alternator is working?
2. How does an alternator work?
3. Can an alternator charge in both directions?
4. My starter is turning slow is it my starter or my battery?
5. Do you offer a technical support service?
6. What are your delivery services and charges?
7. What is the procedure to recondition my own unit?
8. If I bought an exchange unit how do I get it to you?
9. What if I no longer need the part you supplied?

How do I know if my alternator is working?

The very first indication that your alternator is not working is that your battery will go flat. Secondly you’re warning light on your dashboard will either not illuminate or will continuously glow while the engine is running. The best test to see if your alternator is working is to use a voltmeter. This should be connected across the positive terminal from the back of the alternator output lead (B+) and negative (B-) terminal on your battery. If you can not get to the positive terminal on the back of your alternator you can use the positive terminal (B+) on your battery. (This is not a sure safe way as there could be a voltage drop between the battery and your alternator). Your alternator should charge between 13.6 volts and 14.3 volts when idling, once your vehicle is running and you put on your accessories such as lights, wipers, heater etc, the voltage may drop to around 12.4 volts this is acceptable. If you get readings outside of these guidelines then your alternator is not functioning correctly, and should be taken to an Auto Electrical specialist who will diagnose the fault for you.

How does an alternator work?

A battery is needed to power the operating system of your vehicle. Once the vehicle is running the battery is charged by the alternator which is driven by the engine. While in operation the alternator creates electricity, normally about 13.6 to 14.3 volts, and recharges the battery until it is fully charged. Some later vehicles control the vehicles voltage from the engine control unit (ECU), causing the alternator to charge higher around 17.1 volts at low rpm as your vehicle needs this high output from the sudden use of heaters, wipers etc when the engine is first started. The alternator is one of the hardest working electrical components in your vehicle; this is because when your vehicle is running the alternator is always running! It has a very busy job charging to provide the engine and the vehicles accessories with the power it requires. An alternator is a very complex part consisting of many different components such as rotor, stator, regulator, diodes, brushes, bearings, pulley wheel and some times a vacuum pump for diesel applications.

Can an alternator charge in both directions?

Yes it can charge in both directions, either clockwise or anticlockwise. The only thing you have to be careful of is that the cooling fan blades are facing the correct way, to cool the alternator down once rotating, if they are not the alternator will overheat and cause damage to its internal components. A dynamo on the other hand is directional and will only charge one way, a directional arrow is normally found on the body of the dynamo to show its rotation.

My starter is turning slow is it my starter or my battery?

A very easy and quick test is to turn your ignition key to the first stage, put your head lights on to full. If your head lights are bright then your battery has plenty of charge in it and it is ok. If your head lights are dim your battery is low in charge and needs to be checked or replaced. Continue with the test while your head lights are on with a full battery and turn your ignition key to the starting stage, if your head lights stay bright while the starter is turning slow then the starter motor needs to be checked or replaced, if your headlights dramatically dim while the starter is turning then your battery needs to be put on a full load test.

Do you offer a technical support service?

Yes! At Universal we have our own workshop for remanufacturing that has fitting facilities equiped with the latest testing equipment, this enables us to provide an excellent technical help line and an after sales support and backup service for free. Feel free to talk to one of our technicians just call us on +44(0)1268 662210 and ask to speak to technical support or send us an email to technical support (can we have a link to the online request form).

What are your delivery services and charges?

All inland UK orders will be despatched where possible by our own daily van delivery service. For orders that can not be delivered by our own van delivery service, we operate a next day delivery service by post or carrier on all orders received before 4.00pm. The cost of a standard next day delivery service is £7.95, we also offer various special delivery services like next day before 12.00am £12.00, next day before 10.00am £15.00. We offer free standard next day delivery on all orders over £250.00. For orders outside of the UK please contact us for a delivery price first.

What is the procedure to recondition my own unit?

We can arrange a collection and return service from yourselves with our carriers, they will collect the part for reconditioning and then return it to you once it has been reconditioned at a cost of £15.00 (+ VAT UK mainland only) please enquire for prices for offshore and exports. Alternatively you can send us your old unit or come direct in person.

If I bought an exchange unit how do I get it to you?

Very simple just put your old unit in its original packaging, contact us and we will arrange to collect it via our own delivery vans free of charge (within a 50 mile radius), or via our recognised carriers (a charge will apply for this service).

What if I no longer need the part you supplied?

Not a problem return the part to us complete with details of your purchase and we will issue a refund or credit less a restocking/handling charge of 20%. We cannot accept goods for refund or credit if returned more than six months from date of invoice.