Broke down today

[TVRWazzock]

.... first time for 3 years. Looks like the alternator has gone futt.

Driving through Devizes and noticed the voltage go from 13.4V down to 8.5V, then after 4 miles the Tam spluttered and died.

Got the AA, and he started the Tam off of his booster pack. The Tam started first time, so since I was 8 miles from home, we nursed the Tam back home. It definately looks like the alternator has gone and is not charging the battery, cos it runs fine on full charge for a while.

As I can't make it to Neil Garners without a relay, I thought about taking it down to my local Vauxhall dealer in Calne. They service my Astra and I trust them. Thing is it's only a new alternator so shouldn't need a specialist for this one. Relay costs money. I'm insured with the AA so parts and labour are covered.

[shep1001]

TVRWazzock said:

.... first time for 3 years. Looks like the alternator has gone futt.

Driving through Devizes and noticed the voltage go from 13.4V down to 8.5V, then after 4 miles the Tam spluttered and died.

Got the AA, and he started the Tam off of his booster pack. The Tam started first time, so since I was 8 miles from home, we nursed the Tam back home. It definately looks like the alternator has gone and is not charging the battery, cos it runs fine on full charge for a while.

As I can't make it to Neil Garners without a relay, I thought about taking it down to my local Vauxhall dealer in Calne. They service my Astra and I trust them. Thing is it's only a new alternator so shouldn't need a specialist for this one. Relay costs money. I'm insured with the AA so parts and labour are covered.

Check (replace) the 100A fuse on the alternator first under the air box, if this has fractured you won't get any charge. Failing that pull the PS relay and drive it with no power steering, IIRC this is the biggest draw on the battery if you don't have the tunes/heater/AC on should get you where you need to go.

If the alternator has gone tits up why not change it yourself? its not a hard job to do, you are halfway there with the air box off to check the fuse.

Shep

Edited by shep1001 on Saturday 10th March 17:01

[TVRWazzock]

Good thinking, I have a spare fuse holder and 5 spare 100 amp fuses. I'll examine to see if the fuse is the problem.

If not then since I have paid for the AA insurance of money back on repairs and parts after break down, might aswell use it.

[cinquecento]

check this too

[KillerJim]

Just for curiosity sake (and if you know..) - How far do you get on a full battery before she will die?

[M50GRF]

I drove 70 miles last week on a full battery after my alternator failed (mostly motorway),
I've just changed the alternator £126 inc vat, quite easy to do the hardest part was chinging over the pully.