Car died while driving

[SimonJW]

Driving to pick up my mate to go to Mini meet in Oxford this morning and car just died while I was driving. I watched the speedo drop off then the rev counter then it just cut out. When I first got in it this morning with headlamps and heater on the windscren wipers operated very slowly and the battery lamp, on the centre console, was extinguished.
I am assuming this is a battery issue or possibly alternator?

Any help/confirmation of my thoughts would, as always, be much appreciated.

Cheers

Simon

[Metalman]

Ah, so that would explain why I didnt see you car this morning, you must be gutted. Sounds similar to when I had alternator issues so it may be worth checking it with a voltage test meter. Hope you got it home ok.

[The devil]

I had a similar thing but mine was of my own making.
But it did point out that if the lamp in the dash for the alternator fails then the alternator does not work
If the alternator has failed for any reason and opnce you have charged the battery and got it going you should have aroiund 14.2 volts if the alternator is OK, if not then expect 11 volts or thereabouts

[Gadgeroonie]

it does sound like you ran out of electricity !

if you put jump leads on it with a spare battery see if it fires back into life

then measure the voltage across the battery

you should have nearer 14 volts if its charging ok

[SimonJW]

Metalman said:

Ah, so that would explain why I didnt see you car this morning, you must be gutted. Sounds similar to when I had alternator issues so it may be worth checking it with a voltage test meter. Hope you got it home ok.

Yes unfortunatley. Absolutely gutted what a day for driving!!

Thanks for all the advice guys I'll have to have a look next weekend now. More jobs, they're backing up now. :-(. Simon (Tuxman) how much do you charge an hour if all tea, butties, meals and accomodation is free? :-)

Simon

[Jim O.]

Did the battery light on the console light up with the key on/engine off? If it didn't, then your alternator wasn't charging. Check the alternator wiring, the light bulb, and the alternator. If it did light up, have the battery load tested. If you're using an Optima Red Top battery (standard on the US Nobles - I have no idea what is used in the UK), battery chargers may have a hard time fully charging the battery if it goes under 10-11 volts - you need either an AGM-specific charger, or you have to go through a special charging routine. We've also found that if the battery voltage goes below around 11 volts, the alternator may not be able to fully charge the battery.

[TuxMan]

SimonJW said:

Yes unfortunatley. Absolutely gutted what a day for driving!!

Thanks for all the advice guys I'll have to have a look next weekend now. More jobs, they're backing up now. :-(. Simon (Tuxman) how much do you charge an hour if all tea, butties, meals and accomodation is free? :-)

Simon

ha ha love to help if i can .....but you a bloody miles away from me ....move closer

[SimonJW]

Just to finish this thread for future 'searchers' it was the alternator (Probably due to the amount of condensation in my engine bay over the Xmas period during the snow!! Must sort garage out this summer it's ruining my car!), £145 + vat + investigative work. On the plus side I dropped the car off Wednesday and I should get it back today, that's what I call turn round.

Just got to find a nice person who would like to repaint my chassis and remove/replace my floor now!

Si

[SimonJW]

I (my garage) have replaced the alternator which was defective, and the dash bulb, but post change there is an issue with stalling at junctions, every junction. They have said that it may well be the battery, as it died. I've now recharged the battery to full capacity, according to my charger, car starts fine and runs ok but still stalls at every junction? The map is good as it has recently been rejigged for cold start tickover. All dash lamps illuminated correctly. Also seems to be melting the plastic on the top of the covered main fuse in the engine bay but not blowing it and some of the cables from the alternator are getting warm.

Any help greatly appreciated as always.
TIA
Simon

[mgbond]

Not sure, is the alternator the right one?

When did you pick your car up, was mine back inside?

Bondy

[Jim O.]

Check the voltage coming out of the alternator - your voltage regulator may be bad. Also, have your battery load tested to make sure it's still good. If those two are within spec, then it sounds like something is putting a huge load across the rear maxifuse - you might want to use an ammeter (an inductive pickup one would be best) to check the load. If that's the case, then you have to start looking for a short, bad wiring, bad components, etc.

[SimonJW]

mgbond said:

Not sure, is the alternator the right one?

When did you pick your car up, was mine back inside?

Bondy

That was one of my first thoughts funnily enough. I think they were planning on starting yours this week but don't quote me.

Jim O. said:

Check the voltage coming out of the alternator - your voltage regulator may be bad. Also, have your battery load tested to make sure it's still good. If those two are within spec, then it sounds like something is putting a huge load across the rear maxifuse - you might want to use an ammeter (an inductive pickup one would be best) to check the load. If that's the case, then you have to start looking for a short, bad wiring, bad components, etc.

Thanks Jim, excellent advice as always. Fingers crossed all will be well again soon...

Cheers

Simon