Need help re charging light!
Need help re charging light!
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Rib

Original Poster:

2,579 posts

219 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Ok I'm at a loss, battery light had been flickering for a while randomly, replaced battery and batter cables as part of a battery move and still did it, replace alternator yesterday and came to Curborough and now it's just come on solid, it had also not been starting intermintantly.

Now it starts and runs but battery is ready 11.7 ao not charging and light is non solid, any ideas?

Oh it's a 430 as well which doesn't have an 100amp fuse unless it's hidden somewhere?! I have looked in the usual places

wiggycerb

246 posts

224 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
I had a similar issue on my cerb, have you checked the exciter lead is attached properly and that it is broken, mine was broken inside the insulation .... It took me a new alternator to find that out !!!

FlipFlopGriff

7,144 posts

277 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Earth issue?
FFG

QBee

22,492 posts

174 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Today, put the battery on charge, making sure that you use a proper charger, not a trickle one.

Tomorrow/saturday, multimeter out and on 20 volts scale, check what voltage the battery is giving. Should be high 12s.

Then open the bonnet and without putting the key anywhere near the ignition, take the cover off the back of the alternator and check what voltage you are getting between the big live terminal and earth. Should be high 12s.

If it is the same as the battery voltage, then you have a good connection between battery and alternator. If nothing, then you DO have a 100 amp fuse, and it HAS blown.

Next start the engine and check the voltage again in the same place. Should be high 13s or even low 14s. This shows your alternator is working.

Then check you have the same reading at the battery terminal - if lower, then the alternator earthing is to blame. Is your alternator fixed with a bolt, or is there some sort of plastic bush?

If all this is ok, then ask someone else because I am out of ideas

EGB

1,774 posts

187 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
What battery light? Do you mean the ignition light?

QBee

22,492 posts

174 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Presumably the right hand of the two red lights at the bottom of the speedo. If you put your reading glasses on and peer at it, it has a battery symbol on it

gavgavgav

1,569 posts

259 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Run a jump lead from the -ve terminal of the battery to the engine, this will rule out earth straps.

I've not tried this, but run another cable from the +ve battery terminal to the correct terminal on the back of the alternator, this will rule out fuses/ problems with the new cables. Note to be really careful doing this one(!)

roseytvr

1,790 posts

208 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
QBee said:
Today, put the battery on charge, making sure that you use a proper charger, not a trickle one.

Tomorrow/saturday, multimeter out and on 20 volts scale, check what voltage the battery is giving. Should be high 12s.

Then open the bonnet and without putting the key anywhere near the ignition, take the cover off the back of the alternator and check what voltage you are getting between the big live terminal and earth. Should be high 12s.

If it is the same as the battery voltage, then you have a good connection between battery and alternator. If nothing, then you DO have a 100 amp fuse, and it HAS blown.

Next start the engine and check the voltage again in the same place. Should be high 13s or even low 14s. This shows your alternator is working.

Then check you have the same reading at the battery terminal - if lower, then the alternator earthing is to blame. Is your alternator fixed with a bolt, or is there some sort of plastic bush?

If all this is ok, then ask someone else because I am out of ideas
wot e said - sounds like the 100 amp fuse to me

Rib

Original Poster:

2,579 posts

219 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Well turns out it was my new alternator that packed up, pissed off is an understatement! Owell back to craddocks I go!

Rib

Original Poster:

2,579 posts

219 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Oh and thanks qbee, found there was no charge from testing at the alternator instead of the battery, I have refitted my old one for now but don't think it's long for this world. Need it right for the Asda day though on Saturday!

QBee

22,492 posts

174 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Rib said:
Oh and thanks qbee, found there was no charge from testing at the alternator instead of the battery, I have refitted my old one for now but don't think it's long for this world. Need it right for the Asda day though on Saturday!
Hold on a mo. no charge when? Engine on or off?
No charge at alternator with engine off means 100 amp fuse blown. Do you know where it is?
With engine running you will get 11.8 to 12 volts still even if the alternator is stuffed - you will be seeing tha battery. The cable from alternator to/from battery is a two way street.

Rib

Original Poster:

2,579 posts

219 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Sorry, yes it was reading same as battery but wasn't charging suffiently is what I Ment, had a lot of sun today! Lol

QBee

22,492 posts

174 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
Rib said:
Sorry, yes it was reading same as battery but wasn't charging suffiently is what I Ment, had a lot of sun today! Lol
I had a spare.....until I sold it last Sunday. It may be worth taking it to an auto electrician for a bench test. He will soon tell you what is what. If it is the diode pack, it can be quite a cheap fix.
Proper Land Rover ones in virtually new nick can be had from Hobson Industries (www......co.uk) for £80 plus VAT and shipping. I bought one and it is excellent.

Rib

Original Poster:

2,579 posts

219 months

Thursday 8th August 2013
quotequote all
cheers Qbee, I would like to replace it as I am sure its on its way out, i will see how it goes at the ASDA fundraiser on saterday as that should be a good test for it.

Thanks again.