Excavator Takeuchi TB016

[Tacitus]

Hi there!
Nice forum you have here.
Quick background:
I am near Sydney Australia, bought a mini excavator to do some building work, rock retaining wall etc.
Takeuchi TB016 year 2011 with 3000 hours. Regularly serviced by Takeuchi dealer.
My experience with excavators is limited to operating a rented one every blue moon.
My little toy works well and does what is required. So far bought a new cushion since original was a bit daggy. Added quick flat face coupling to the valves on the arm for a grabber I bought to move rocks around.
So far so good.
Now to the question.
Battery light is flashing.
Previous owner told me: Takeuchi dealer serviced the machine and said it was due to a faulty diode in the instrument cluster, and that short of replacing the instrument cluster, it is of no consequence since alternator is charging.
Not satisfied, asked my local Takeuchi dealer who told me there are no diodes in the instrument cluster but there is a sensor in the alternator that needs resetting. (Actually he previously told me the sensor was in the battery)

A bit confused, talked to my local auto electrician who said ... faulty alternator, take it off the machine and I'll fix it or replace it.

If you are familiar with this machine, would you be so kind to post "how to" remove the alternator?
Your reply is appreciated
Hooroo
Tacitus

 

[Steve]

I think I may have replaced an alternator on a 016 years ago, I seem to remember you access it by lifting the seat & getting in to it through the L shaped panel held on with 4 m8 bolts.

 

[doobin]

Hi there!
Nice forum you have here.
Quick background:
I am near Sydney Australia, bought a mini excavator to do some building work, rock retaining wall etc.
Takeuchi TB016 year 2011 with 3000 hours. Regularly serviced by Takeuchi dealer.
My experience with excavators is limited to operating a rented one every blue moon.
My little toy works well and does what is required. So far bought a new cushion since original was a bit daggy. Added quick flat face coupling to the valves on the arm for a grabber I bought to move rocks around.
So far so good.
Now to the question.
Battery light is flashing.
Previous owner told me: Takeuchi dealer serviced the machine and said it was due to a faulty diode in the instrument cluster, and that short of replacing the instrument cluster, it is of no consequence since alternator is charging.
Not satisfied, asked my local Takeuchi dealer who told me there are no diodes in the instrument cluster but there is a sensor in the alternator that needs resetting. (Actually he previously told me the sensor was in the battery)

A bit confused, talked to my local auto electrician who said ... faulty alternator, take it off the machine and I'll fix it or replace it.

If you are familiar with this machine, would you be so kind to post "how to" remove the alternator?
Your reply is appreciated
Hooroo
Tacitus

Have you actually tested the voltage whilst running to see what's happening?

A bit of tape might be a cheap soloution...

 

[Steve]

I think when a diode goes in the rectifier the alternator charges fine but when the engine is off it slowly discharges as the diode goes closed circuit.

 

[Tacitus]

I think I may have replaced an alternator on a 016 years ago, I seem to remember you access it by lifting the seat & getting in to it through the L shaped panel held on with 4 m8 bolts.

I try that. Seems easy enough, just that everything is so crammed in here. May even find the sensor in the battery ... you never know Thank you for the prompt replies. Posted on another large and heavy forum, had 80 views and no reply. Cheers!

 

[Tacitus]

Have you actually tested the voltage whilst running to see what's happening?

A bit of tape might be a cheap solution...

No did not test voltage, battery stays charged fine ... However that's my kind of solution! ... where do I put the tape?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

No did not test voltage, battery stays charged fine ... However that's my kind of solution! ... where do I put the tape?

Over the light…

 

[Tacitus]

Ha ha, yes good one. Reminds me of a guy who compared taking painkillers for knee pain, to cutting the pressure sensor wire to solve low oil pressure.

 

[Steve]

You could do a parasitic draw test with a multi meter if you still suspect a diode/rectifier problem. If it is charging & not draining the battery some of doobin‘s tape is probably the best solution.

 

[doobin]

some of doobin‘s tape is probably the best solution.

Patent pending.