Alternator issues; stuck in Utah

[dubdeli]

Hi everyone and happy new year! My partner and I have recently purchased a new to us '92 L300 Delica (automatic transmission). We love it!

We decided to take the van on a climbing/skiing road trip for the Christmas holidays and went all down to Joshua Tree from Vancouver. On our way back home driving through Utah, the van broke down outside of Richfield. We were driving along the I70 along a mountain pass in the middle of nowhere, it was -17, and the console lights and headlights started to dim; I immediately suspected the alternator. Also, the wheel lock light began slowly lighting up when we went around corners (maybe not related?) and the oil light came on once the vehicle stopped, just before we turned it off. I checked the oil level though and everything looked okay. Eventually, we got towed to a garage in Richfield and on closer inspection notice that the alternator was covered in oil. It looked like the oil had come from the turbo directly above it, but we're not 100% sure on this as we only got a quick look.

Luckily we found a local-ish shop willing to rebuild the alternator. However, I'm not sure if that will completely solve our problem as it still doesn't answer where the oil came from and whether this is was shorted the alternator, or if it was something else.

Questions to Delica.ca forum users: Do you know what the oil could be from?? Turbo or something else?? Possible fixes? Anyone have any friends/know what the nightlife is like in Richfield, Utah?? We might be here a while...

[MardyDelica]

hi, it could be the by pass hose usually this is the common problem on this
if need help I have that in stock
cheers
Mardy

[dubdeli]

Hi Mardy. Hi thanks for the response. I will give you a call tomorrow.

Im still waiting to get the alternator rebuilt. They said they had to order a new generator for it on monday
Hmmm.... from reading the forums here I believed that the rebuild was relatively straight forward job. They also told my girlfriend it would be $600 for that part... Are we being ripped off?

On the upside the Town is full of nice folk and we are feeling very welcomed by everyone we meet..

[macro]

Alternator rebuild should be a one day job if they have the parts. On mine they cleaned the windings and replaced the brushes and rectifier and it was good to go. Cost me......$200? Maybe a little more, but cheaper than a new one. Sounds like your real issue is whatever covered your alternator in oil!