I started my vauxhall movano for the first time in about 6 months today. I had to jump start it, it started up fine, but the battery light is on constant. Ive took it for a 5 mile run and its still on and its not holding a charge.

Does this mean that the battery is totally knackered? Or could this be something else like alternator maybe? Ive had knackered batterys before but none that have ever lit the battery light constantly.

 

its usually the alternater isnt charging if the light is staying on mate

 

just had the same thing with my 05 citroen bongo,light on constantly. took it to my mate with who has electrical testing kit and he diagnosed the alty was not charging,it also had a unusual noise comming from the timming belt + alty area so i was a bit worried it could be serious,as it was just the alty we whipped it off and took it to a starter alty specialist by us who recons them cheep,25 quid later i was well happy the van drives mint.

theres more than 1 alty for a bongo and i was quoted 45+vat for a second hand one and i would of needed to compare them first which would of meant a 20 mile round trip to a van breakers.

theres bound to be a company like that in sheff matey.

 

alternator