RS Bowk

Ok im pressuming its sumthing allternater related but is there any tests i can do with my multimeter this weekend until i can get 2 my local starter and allternater centre??

ur help would be gratefully received

CheeRS

pau1rs

could be the little blue lead that goes from the alternator to the starter...

this usually breaks...

if not i`d say ya need a new alternator!!!

Exeter J

Try this...

1. Connect the voltmeter positive lead to the alternator B+ terminal and the negative lead to ground.
2. Turn all electrical accessories off.
3. With the engine running at 2,000 rpm, check the alternator output voltage. The voltage should be between 13.0 and 15.0 volts.

The problem could be three obvious things...
1. As paul says
2. Alternator on its way out/belt slipping.
3. Engine to bodywork grounding leads are in bad nick.

To decide between 2 & 3 do the test by grounding to the engine block and then see if its the same when grounded to the bodywork - you can eliminate the problem from there. HTH

RS Bowk

cheers peeps very good discription J many thanks will giv this a try in a bit. Was thinkin it may b a bad earth as have had alterantors go on previous cars and the light has been on constant!

I will try and post the outcome

CheeRS

safflad

simplest way is put meter on battery with engine runnin if its over 12.5 volts u know your charging well I usually expect to see 12.8 to 14volts

ECU Monitor Enthusiast

iTrader: (1)

A dimmly lit charge lamp when running is a sympton of the brushes wearing out or the rectifier/regulator circuit pack failing.
Other causes, are bad earth to the engine or to the alternator bracket.

This can happen and still charge the battery ok.

Its only a mtter of time before it fails though

RS Bowk

cheers simon I think thats more than likely the answer

Ginge !

alt defo on its way out, get ya multi meter on as said and ceck the voltage, then turn on full beam, heaters and stereo and see if the voltage drops below 13v, that will show that as simon said the brushes are on way out, then ya PM lennie &lisa and buy a alt of him for dirt cheep

Linsay

That's all it was on mine - caused loads of problems on my s2, in the end it cut the car out and i had to limp home with the alarm going off

SPADGE

Could also be bleedover from an adjacent light and not the charge light illuminated at all

digita1dragon

Same happened to me, altornator gave up very shortly after.

Re: What Spadge said, youre not doing a Jim and driving along with the handbrake on are you? The light off that might bleed through