Battery flat / alternator issue(?)
Discussion
Hi All,
On Saturday night I got home, switched the car off and my battery light (and heater control lights) switched on.
I tried a couple of bits to try and clear it (foot on the brake turned the dash lights off) / i tried switching the wipers on/off etc but to no avail.
I had a new (s/h) alternator a couple of months ago and since then i've had an issue with pulsing head and dashlights. I've probably done 600 miles without any issues in this time as well.
On Monday I had a day off and was going to drop the car off with the guys that changed the alternator to get them to look at it but the battery was flat. Luckily I had left the roof/windows down so I could get access to the car.
My battery charger needs the battery to have a certain amount of charge for it to work but even after being hooked up for a couple of hours the charging light was still not coming on.
When the car was in at the specialist they told me that the chassis will need work next week (outriggers) and although they are happy to sort the alternator out they are wondering if the chassis (poor earths) are causing some of these issues.
The reason for replacing the last alternator was that the battery light was coming on when the ignition was switched on and it also spiked the speedo.
Any thoughts? I'm thinking about borrowing a battery to get the car started, fueled and over to the specialist (who have advised that if possible not to take the battery out) but wanted to know if there was anything quick fixes I can do?
I'm assuming that the battery can't of just failed?
Cheers,
Phill
On Saturday night I got home, switched the car off and my battery light (and heater control lights) switched on.
I tried a couple of bits to try and clear it (foot on the brake turned the dash lights off) / i tried switching the wipers on/off etc but to no avail.
I had a new (s/h) alternator a couple of months ago and since then i've had an issue with pulsing head and dashlights. I've probably done 600 miles without any issues in this time as well.
On Monday I had a day off and was going to drop the car off with the guys that changed the alternator to get them to look at it but the battery was flat. Luckily I had left the roof/windows down so I could get access to the car.
My battery charger needs the battery to have a certain amount of charge for it to work but even after being hooked up for a couple of hours the charging light was still not coming on.
When the car was in at the specialist they told me that the chassis will need work next week (outriggers) and although they are happy to sort the alternator out they are wondering if the chassis (poor earths) are causing some of these issues.
The reason for replacing the last alternator was that the battery light was coming on when the ignition was switched on and it also spiked the speedo.
Any thoughts? I'm thinking about borrowing a battery to get the car started, fueled and over to the specialist (who have advised that if possible not to take the battery out) but wanted to know if there was anything quick fixes I can do?
I'm assuming that the battery can't of just failed?
Cheers,
Phill
Do you have a multimeter?
If you do you can check the battery voltage. Should be greater than 12 volts if it's healthy (Mine is 12.6). Lower than 12 and it wont start. Less than 10 volts and it's probably dead, hence why you're charger wont work.
Also check the battery terminals are tight and that the charger is securely attached.
With the engine running the alternator should be supplying current to the battery. With all ancillaries on the voltage should be atleast 13.5 volts. Lower than this could indicate a problem with the alternator.
Check the 100 amp fuses under the engine bay.
Someone with more knowledge may be along later to correct my figures. Goodluck.
If you do you can check the battery voltage. Should be greater than 12 volts if it's healthy (Mine is 12.6). Lower than 12 and it wont start. Less than 10 volts and it's probably dead, hence why you're charger wont work.
Also check the battery terminals are tight and that the charger is securely attached.
With the engine running the alternator should be supplying current to the battery. With all ancillaries on the voltage should be atleast 13.5 volts. Lower than this could indicate a problem with the alternator.
Check the 100 amp fuses under the engine bay.
Someone with more knowledge may be along later to correct my figures. Goodluck.
Ok, managed to get the battery out on Saturday and hooked it up to the charger - looks like it's taken a decent charge (car would turn over) but the battery light is still on.
I changed the 100amp fuse this afternoon so i'll try taking it for a run and see if that clears it but i'm guessing the alternator may need attention.
I changed the 100amp fuse this afternoon so i'll try taking it for a run and see if that clears it but i'm guessing the alternator may need attention.
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