thats a good point

the smoke definately came from the alternator though, not from behind the dash. i'd have though that it would eb charging at just over 14 volts if the diode pack was 100%, its currently charging at 13.6...

ive ordered a exchange alternator, it is still on its original one - so i suppose its not done bad... will be glad to rule it out.


i think your statment about fair knowledge is BECAUSE we have older cars that do break and we fix them as opposed to selling a limb for a specialist - fair enough things like the mapping - leave that to the real experts, but basic machanical and electrical problems are easy enough... touch wood, ive not ahad a failure of anythig i've repaired on the car yet...