Alternator options?

hoodie6029

Looking for a bit of advice for my MK2 Golf. It’s a 1990 1.3 petrol.

When I’m driving it, the battery light flickers on when I put the clutch in as I slow down for a junction etc. and then it cuts out on occasion. I had put this down to bad fuel but now with just fresh petrol in the tank, it still happens.

I have one of those battery charger/maintainers on it when it’s parked and the battery is fairly new. When I put the maintainer back on it after a drive today it was only showing the battery as half charged and it was full when I disconnected it before the drive. This makes me think that the alternator is kaput. 

I can get a replacement alternator handily enough from Retro Spares but I remembered a YouTuber a few years ago replacing the standard alternator on his 70’s American car with a new lighter, modern unit. Has anyone here done that? Where did you get it? Any issues?

TIA

teediddlyeye

I take it you've already checked the output voltage at idle under load?

Has it got a rev counter? Sounds more like rpm is dipping too low when closing throttle. Really shouldn't cut out if the battery is any way charged if the lights only flickering. I'd check for a vacuum leak before spending any money.

Otherwise for an alternator I'd be looking at the likes of almax in walkinstown. Should be able to supply a high output one.

hoodie6029

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121878070#Comment_121878070

Thanks for the response. No rev counter unfortunately. I’ll do a few checks and see what I can find. Might be one for my garage to use their skills on I think.