Dim battery warning light when ignition is ON and OFF
Discussion
I had to make an essential journey today (for legitimate allowable reasons before anyone asks why).
I am running a Vauxhall van at the moment, 140,000 on the odometer. Was driving it for about 15 minutes then noticed a smell of electrical burning for 3 or 4 minutes. I could not be certain it was the van or if the smell was coming in from outside.
Mission nearly over (an otherwise uneventful 60 miles of mostly motorway driving) I made a delivery, and had the ignition switched off. When I turned back on again, the battery warning light remained dimly lit. I pulled over, turned off and on again, and the battery light was still dimly lit. Even when I turned the ignition off, the battery light remained illuminated, dimly, whilst the rest of the dash display powered off (about 15 seconds).
I do not know much about car electrical systems, but would this be suggestive of diode failure in the alternator? Should my first course of action be wise to replace the alternator?
Please can anyone out there explain what is happening? I need to get this fixed urgently as there is current high dependence on what I am using the van for at the moment.
Many thanks.
I am running a Vauxhall van at the moment, 140,000 on the odometer. Was driving it for about 15 minutes then noticed a smell of electrical burning for 3 or 4 minutes. I could not be certain it was the van or if the smell was coming in from outside.
Mission nearly over (an otherwise uneventful 60 miles of mostly motorway driving) I made a delivery, and had the ignition switched off. When I turned back on again, the battery warning light remained dimly lit. I pulled over, turned off and on again, and the battery light was still dimly lit. Even when I turned the ignition off, the battery light remained illuminated, dimly, whilst the rest of the dash display powered off (about 15 seconds).
I do not know much about car electrical systems, but would this be suggestive of diode failure in the alternator? Should my first course of action be wise to replace the alternator?
Please can anyone out there explain what is happening? I need to get this fixed urgently as there is current high dependence on what I am using the van for at the moment.
Many thanks.
Thanks chaps.
I have a strong suspicion that there is a pending alternator problem, so ordered a replacement from Ebay, £40 delivered. Hopefully this together with a new belt proves a fast and relatively economical repair before it escalates into draining the battery or failing to charge.
with thanks.
I have a strong suspicion that there is a pending alternator problem, so ordered a replacement from Ebay, £40 delivered. Hopefully this together with a new belt proves a fast and relatively economical repair before it escalates into draining the battery or failing to charge.
with thanks.
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