Evening all

When I started the zed last night I noticed the battery light didnt come on. I didnt think anything of it. Engine check light came on after the ign was on for a few seconds. The car started fine and I drove off, all was well. Managed to get away from all civilization and the HICAS light then about 30 secs later the ABS light. I know steering fluid is good.

During this time the interior lights dimmed and windows/mirrors were VERY slow to move.

Next light was the Auto box and then car stuttered and died. Wouldnt start immediatly but did start about half hour later. RAC got called out!

I think it is the alternator, would I be right? Anything else to check?

Please help!!

Thank you!

Oh yeah, I have done a search but didnt find anything

it could be a connection to the alternator, these cars are getting old so is the connectors, probably best to check them before you fork out on a new alternator.

 

Nick

sounds like yor alternator alright but it may of knackerd your battery aswell with it being constantly drained, best bet if you ring your local fast fit they do a free battery check and check if the alternator is charging, remember it's free so its worth a go

Cool thanks guys.

What voltage should I expect to see across the batt terminals when the engine is running to say whether the alternator is charging the batt or not?

Should see at least 14volts mate

I always thought the light stayed on when it wa an alternator problem.

 

Did a quick google and came up with this.

 

http://www.powerbase-auto.co.uk/alternator_faults.htm

 

I have a cheap battery/alternator tester that tells if you are getting charge to the battery and also says how good the battery is. May be worth getting one or as above trying quick fit or somewhere.

 

Good luck with it.

 

Darrell

Excellent help, thanks!!! Will look into one of those testers.

Defiantely altenator - same happened to me. If you can, buy new as they are a bugger to change and a 2nd hand one may have the same problem - again I speak from experience.

 

Good luck

 

Jack

the light may stay on or may not go on at all. depends how the regulator/rectifier diode has died.

 

you dont need a fancy pants tester. just use a multimeter. if you havnt got one, buy one, youl get more use out of it than a battery tester.

Check all the earth straps first, these could give the same symptoms and it is easier and cheaper than changing an alternator!!

i think theres a fuse for the charging circuit as well (i forget now) might be worth checking if the excitor wire is still attached, sometimes these corrode and break off.

 

or maybe youve broken a belt ;)

Yeah I have a multimeter, thought it'd do the same as a batt tester! Going to have a good look at the alt on Saturday, hopefully it is just a corroded wire or strap. Fingers crossed!

Jack, where did you get your new alt from? MJP?

Cheers!

Trade car electrical factors in Ipswich. Cost £122 from memory. There was no glowing warning light on the dash, just progressive electrical component shut down. In true Keep-the-cost-down style, I'd charge the battery overnight and it;'d get me to work and back ok. I'd organised a 2nd hand unit from Andy in Thetford (£40) but couldn,t collect it for a few days. Then, someone blocks the A14 and all the traffics going through Ipswich. It's dark and raining and it's stop-start traffic. You know what's next, after almost everything inc the headlights has shut down it eventually dies and I finish up pushing it onto the grass verge - with the help of the bloke behind me.

 

So - next day and 2nd hand from Andy and 3 hours later I've an altenator fitted - but the red lights glowing. It's charging ok, but for how long. So I bought a new one but never fitted (since sold it) it as I inadvetantly bought the Midnight Purple Z I'm currently driving and sold the red one with the 2nd hand altenator.

 

That's the story.

 

Good luck

 

Jack