So driving the other night me the battery light came on and off with lights dimming at low revs, also heater kept going off and a click from the passenger side of the dash.

Took it to test the voltage and battery with it being cold recently. Voltage running with everything on was over 14v. It came up with battery faulty. So replaced the battery yesterday and now this morning it's come on again!!!

Im thinking either alternater or wiring connection somewhere

Anything simple to look at before I start spending a fortune changing parts?

Cheers

 

Do these have a smart charge system on them? I know the old transit connects used to and the wiring used to snap inside the sheaf.

 

Correct and yes they do.

As said, the three pin plug on the alternator causes issues.

Verify it's wiring.

Martin

 

Right I'll check the wiring to the altanater and go from there. Thanks

 

Right had a poke around wiring this morning. All looks okay but not to say it isn't that. It's charging at 14.6 which I'm told is overcharging. Both garages I've used have said it'll be the alternator but I'm unsure. I'm a bit limited with time to get anything else done though. Just don't want to shell out £150 to sort the alternater and find out it's not that ����

 

Nothing wrong with that output whatsoever, perfectly normal.

In actual fact, its possible to see around 16V, which is why it's crucial the correct battery is installed.

I would ensure the fundamentals are verified before simply buying another alternator.

Martin

 

My battery light started to come on after around 30 seconds of idle. They have a smart charge system on, if you listen you can hear the relay clicking when the light goes on and off, this will also drop the current on your reading. Mine was the plug on the loom that connects to the alternator as mentioned above.

This was after I fit a new alternator (which I was doing anyway with power steering pump, water pump, all pulleys, new belt etc.)

I simply unplugged it, cleaned the 3 pins and contacts, then put a little vaseline on, its been perfect since.

 

I made sure it's the correct battery as I was aware of that.

I've taken the car to another mechanic I use who's far better then your average garage one and he does think it's the altenator after testing everything.

Bought a new one that will go on tomorrow so hopefully this cures the problem!

 

Welll after about of head scratching it's sorted. I stripped back the wiring and couldn't see any breaks, so went ahead and changed the alternater and still it wasn't sorted.

So did all the wiring again and stripped it right back only to find a break half way along in the smart charge loom where it's clipped to the fan housing. Just shows you need to check all of it not just a bit!!

Cost me £100 for the alternater that I didn't need but oh well I cba taking it back off so it's staying on.

Thanks for the advice

 

What I thought then, it's very UNLIKELY to be the alternator itself.

Martin