FSM Niki - Alternator and Running Problems ( Please Help )

[Aaron]

D'oh just re-read one of the later posts where the fan issue had been identified - oops!

[triantis]

Aaron. Can you please give me the details of these blokes who can get me all the parts I require for a full rebuild. How are they price wise? What would I need?

Regulator
Brushes
Diode setup
Internal parts?
Bearings?

[Aaron]

Ok this may be a long one and go over 2 posts.

126fan's website is here http://www.126fan.sk/eshop/.  Click the Union Jack on the left side to get it into english.  Now you're going to have to be a little understanding of the descriptions because English is not these guy's first language.  Most of the items you are currently chasing will be under the catagory "Electricity".

The bits you are chasing are at these links;
Regulator http://www.126fan.sk/eshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=117
Brushes http://www.126fan.sk/eshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=136
Diodes http://www.126fan.sk/eshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=69
Bearings http://www.126fan.sk/eshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=95 and http://www.126fan.sk/eshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=96

Other bits Stator http://www.126fan.sk/eshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=128
They don't seem to list the rotor which I think is about the only other bit.

Including the stator that adds up to 72.80 Euro which is about AUD 102 at the moment. Add postage to that and you'll be looking at around $140 or so.

An alternative to look at is buying a complete new one such as this http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Fiat-126-Fiat-500-Lichtmaschine-alternator-Neu-/260613361170?pt=Autoteile_Zubeh%C3%B6r&hash=item3cadc44e12 which will save on labour costs which you need to add to the above price.  Contact Martin at 126Fan through the CONTACT link and ask if he can supply complete new units as he may be able to better the price in the ebay listing.

The only other alternative is to contact the FIAT guys in Vic, there are a few down there who may be able to help with the bits and may have a re-co alternator on the shelf or a good used one...

[Aaron]

Another alternative is to grab your nearest Polish friend / workmate (I just happen to have one here is the office) and hunt around http://Allegro.pl - or a friendly polish speaking member on this website.  You can get them cheap here but the language barrier may be a problem.  This one http://allegro.pl/alternator-maluch-fiat-126p-126-elegant-gwarancja-i1264036441.html I'm told is a re-co one with 6 months warranty (but sending back to Poland will be fun).  At 110 Zl that's about AUD 40.  I'm told by my fellow worker that it there are 5 available in this listing.

But the downside is freight, he tells me it would be around 272 zl in air freight or 95 zl in sea freight (cheaper but you'll have to wait like 3 months)

A FIAT  Mob I've spoken to previously in Vic which may be able to help-
The Italian Job http://italianjobauto.com/

[gsxr126]

Sam, I'll see what prices i can come up with in Sydney but yeah the 126fan guys are the cheapest around. Just remember you get what you pay for. I have ordered a few parts from them and although the cheapest the parts werent the best quality. Depends on what your buying i suppose.
I just ordered a gb repair kit from a German mob for 118euro. I think 126fan sell them for 78euro but mine was a genuine fiat item.

[triantis]

Aaron/gsxr126,

Thank you guys so much for your help and advice. I really can't beleive how helpful you guys are. I will look into all the above. I have never purchased anything from overseas so this its all new to me. I think buying a new unit is the way to go. It will probably work out to cost about the same as a rebuild. I would prefer to buy off someone in Australia if possible. Or try track down someone who knows these units and can do a proper rebuild with all the right parts.

[gsxr126]

The trick to remember with os purchasing is postage Sam. Aaron's last post in this thread is a classic example (sorry Aaron), but over $100aud for postage for an alternator (ie: small package) seems a bit excessive to me. The gb kit cost me 40euro/$62aud in postage. I think you can find reasonable shipping charges, just takes a lot of research.

Buy a new one. You'll find that fiat specialists in Oz (well Sydney anyway) charge fiat specialist prices so buying a new will probably work out cheaper. I have a bunch of receipts i found in one of my nikis totalling $7000 on gearbox repairs

[skelz]

I have found this website handy when trying to id bits and pieces
http://www.fiatclassic.com/HTML126/KATA126U.HTM#1128
and these guys http://webshop.fiat500126.com/?PATH_INFO=/sites2/view/4-1-versandkosten.html&
have got alot of gear.. looks like high end stuff..
I have made my first order from 126Fan... waitin for delivery.. hasnt been that long

[Aaron]

No offence taken.  That's the problem with ordering from overseas.  Large parts like body panels would be a real killer for us.  The price I had was taken from the Polish post website assuming 5 kg of weight.

By all means, I agree try locally for the alternator first - there's probably a fair chance in getting one especially from a FIAT specialist.  Use the OS option as a fall back or more importantly a gauge as to what the item should cost.

So far all of my overseas purchases have been the small fiddly bit items so postage doesn't add to the cost too much, having said that I remember my LHD parcel shelf that I got to even up the dash cost me $US7 but the postage was $30 to get it here......

[Aaron]

On the other hand my experience with the carby is a point in favour of OS purchase - I got a complete brand new one in my hot little hands about this time last year with a poorer exchange rate plus an spare overhaul kit for $150.  Try getting your existing one rebuilt locally for that...

It's always a bit of weighing things up.

[gsxr126]

Bugger, but just as i thought. Fiatorque the Sydney guru has no alternators to suit niki. He said he can reco one but would need to order parts after seeing whats wrong with it

I'll try source one online for you but here's a thought - why dont you try getting stuck into your existing alt and try recoing it yourself. We've been saying buy new and use a mechanic but if your handy you might be able to save some big dollars.

And reading back thru this post - did you check the alt wiring and all the earth connections? Might be worth something cleaning these up. Rusty earth contacts play havoc with the electricals in nikis

[triantis]

After speaking toa couple fiat gurus the way to go is to attempt to repair one of the two I have. With the parts available I am very confident I can repair it myself. The only problem is actually sourcing the problem. What I plan to do is drag it to a local auto elec who can sus out the problem and then do the repair at home. Fingers crossed

[triantis]

gsxr126,

I have also been keeping an eye out on the internet for a brand new unit. My problem is that everything is in a different language LOL

[dajwid]

Hi I have plenty of Polish friends that would bring a new unit to the UK, but just looked up prices to post from here to you:-

I estimated 4kgs

http://sg.royalmail.com/portal/rm/PriceFinderResults?pageId=pc_sltc_rm_results&keyname=rmPriceFinderResults&catId=23500532

Blimey thats expensive to post, couldn't you pop over here for one )

[Aaron]

Yeah, when you look at that you can understand why some parts prices down here seem expensive.  Also makes the shipping charges I've had on bits sent from both Poland and Slovakia seem quite reasonable.