Alfa Romeo Repair: 1983 Alfa Spider Electrical Issue, stan scott, alfa spider

Question
Stephen,

Occasionally, the radio in my 1983 Alfa Spider 2.0 will go out while I am driving down the road, and the battery light comes on at the same time.  Car runs fine when this happens.  So far, the radio has always come back on and the battery light goes out again after a few minutes.

Any idea what could be causing this?  Perhaps a ground issue?

Thanks!

Stan Scott
Louisville, KY

Answer
It is quite probable that the brushes in the alternator are near the limit or there is oil on them.  The brushes are easy to change after disconnecting the neg. lead of the battery.  While the old brushes are out put some fine sandpaper on the copper contact tangs in the alternator (to clean them).  Same for the contact points on the commutator.  The rest of the alternator will outlast the engine.