Question 1 - if the altenator stops charging, does a warning light apear on the dash.

 

Question 2 - if the altenator has stopped charging is there a simple voltage regulator in the altenator that can be replaced.

 

...as you may have guessed, the battery's flat with no warning. I use the car daily (NA), so I bought a new battery 2 days ago (it was over 3 years old) and all seemed well, but this morning it was dead again.

 

...any answers greatfully recieved.

 

cheers

 

Jack

You will certainly see a warning light if the alternator stops being driven (eg: belt snaps). Not sure if you would see a warning if the alternator stops generating a charge though...

 

Steve :)

1. not always.

 

2. Not really, but a good alternator shop/specialist should be able to repair it.

 

The NA alternators are very fragile.

Measure the voltage across the battery terminals with the engine at ~ 2000 rpm.. voltage should be near 14 volt.

If it isn't, it's the alternator.

 

You can fit a TT alternator as a cheap upgrade.

Jack, i have a TT alternator for sale, £50 delivered

...many thanks for the prompt replies. I'll try the 14 volt at 2000 rpm tonight - and if it's knackered I'll be buying that altenator from you - which I presume is in good nick?

 

cheers

 

Jack

Could also be worth checking to see if a faulty alarm is draining your battery

...car dosen't have an alarm. But I fitted a new CD player last Sunday - can't believe that would drain a brand new Bosch Silver in 2 days... You've got me thinking now as I had to disconnect the 2 switches for the heated seats and I could have reconnected them wrongly...

 

Something else to check tonight...

Update:

 

...thanks guys. Voltage check (on Thursday night) revealed nothing coming from old altenator. As I use the car every day, I bought an altenator from Andy on Friday as he lives 1 hour from me. Many thanks for the offer ya5een.

 

Fitting was difficult due to awkward access but it's in and registering just over 13 volt at 2000rpm.

 

Thanks again for all of the advice.

 

cheerz

 

Jack

just to add to this, as well as peak voltage, alternators should be measured for Amp output (which is the actual currant measurment).

...I'll try that - what amp output should it read? ...sorry if I'm being dumb, but car electrics are not really a strong-point, nor are household electrics either...

no worries jack, glad you got it sorted

 

yas