Alternator question ?

[hook line n sinker]

Ive been having problems with the fj with regards to starting in that often the bike turns over but is  obviously not sparking then floods . I recently purchased a new battery and the bike started first time and carried on doing so for a short while . Wouldnt start the other night so once again had the battery out charged it on a trickle charger but notice it wont reach storage stage on the charger after 12hours of charging . Stuck it back in bike today and bike starts again no bother like nothing was ever amiss . Is this a alternator problem ? Ive looked on Ebay but most are off later models than a 87 does this matter will they fit ? Also is it a big deal changing the alternator  is it a easy job or a technically challenging job ?

Any advice welcomed thanks Matt

[FJ111200]

Some of the alternators have 2 mounting bolt holes and some have 3, but they will all fit.
I think the 1100's have got a more powerful output.
It's easy enough to change, just unbolt the old and bolt up the new, just make sure the splines locate and don't use too much force in case of damage.
An easy way to check if the alternator is working is to rev the bike in neutral and watch the neutral light on the dash. If it gets brighter with higher revs it's working. If nothing, its probably dead. If you've got no dash lights, turn the headlight on and watch for the same effect. The reg/rec is built into the alternator and can be bought seperately for replacement, which is usually the problem with a faulty alternator.

[Pat Conlon]

Is this a alternator problem ?

Not necessarily. What's your charging voltage? You left your bike (with no fairing) out in the rain, so do you have a current leak draining your battery?
Do some home work before you throw parts at it...Electrical gremlins can be simple... but hard to find.

[Mark Olson]

+1 check your output voltage at idle and then at 6k , fj's like to boil batteries .

you can snag a regulator to fix the problem from RPM randy.

[hook line n sinker]

Some of the alternators have 2 mounting bolt holes and some have 3, but they will all fit.
I think the 1100's have got a more powerful output.
It's easy enough to change, just unbolt the old and bolt up the new, just make sure the splines locate and don't use too much force in case of damage.
An easy way to check if the alternator is working is to rev the bike in neutral and watch the neutral light on the dash. If it gets brighter with higher revs it's working. If nothing, its probably dead. If you've got no dash lights, turn the headlight on and watch for the same effect. The reg/rec is built into the alternator and can be bought seperately for replacement, which is usually the problem with a faulty alternator.

Thanks very informative stuff just hope its going to be a simple fix

[hook line n sinker]

Is this a alternator problem ?

Not necessarily. What's your charging voltage? You left your bike (with no fairing) out in the rain, so do you have a current leak draining your battery?
Do some home work before you throw parts at it...Electrical gremlins can be simple... but hard to find.

Thanks true enough hope its not to difficult a problem