Battery warning light flickering

[domV8]

Hi guys,

The battery warning light is flickering - can anyone tell me, does this indicate that the alternator is not charging, or just that the battery is low..?

Alternator was only replaced 3 months ago, so gonna be pissed if its that - can anyone tell me where I can find the (100a?) alternator fuse..?

Has been flickering over the last week - I went for a 2hr run on Sunday to try and charge the battery up, but still flickering this morning to my dissappointment

Any help appreciated,


Dom

[eybic]

Have you checked with a multimeter? Most cars should give about 14v when running and at least 12v when the engine is off.

[Tyre Tread]

the 100A fuse is in a carrier (small black box) attached to the chassis on the offside alongside the starter motor.

If it hasn't been changed in a few years I would start there.

[domV8]

Great, thanks.

If I replace this, does it have to be a 100A fuse, or can I use one of the uprated ones (like you can on the *other* 100A fuse in the birds nest)..?

Thanks,


Dom

[Tyre Tread]

domV8 said:

... can I use one of the uprated ones (like you can on the *other* 100A fuse in the birds nest)..?

Dom

Not sure what you mean by that.

the 100A fuse is basically a strip of metal with a loop at each end.

They should be about 5p each but with TVR tax you'll pay about £2.00

ETA: this type of thing: http://www.thetoolboxshop.com/0-378-50-pack-of-10-...

[domV8]

There is an uprated fuse - think its about 120A? - which you can use to replace the main 100A fuse by the battery, looks slightly different to the original 100A...

Have a couple of those in my cupboard, if I could use them instead, would mean I didn't have to order anything...

Dom

[Tyre Tread]

If they are anything more than a strip of metal they won't fit in the carrier.

If you can get one to fit then you could use it to test if that's the problem, or even bypass it temporarily although I wouldn't recommend using anything but the original spec. Of cours ethat's up to you to decide

[lancepar]

domV8 said:

Hi guys,

The battery warning light is flickering - can anyone tell me, does this indicate that the alternator is not charging, or just that the battery is low..?

Alternator was only replaced 3 months ago, so gonna be pissed if its that - can anyone tell me where I can find the (100a?) alternator fuse..?

Has been flickering over the last week - I went for a 2hr run on Sunday to try and charge the battery up, but still flickering this morning to my dissappointment

Any help appreciated,




Dom

If it was an old alternator then I recall from somewhere in my past that when in the dark a dull glimmer could be seen from the charge lamp on one of my cars (not TVR), None of this really fits your problem, but a set of brushes cured it for me.

[domV8]

Before I purchase said fuses (good to have any which way), is it 100amp fuse that I need for the alternator, or did I make that up..?!

[ukdj]

Yes 100amp for alternator & 80amp for the birds nest officially - I have the new midi fuse type fitted ok in the original carrier.

[shake n bake]

I had this problem and it was the actual bulb loose in the carrier. Be warned though, if it is this it does break the charging circuit and you'll end up with a dead battery on a sunny day like I did!

[QBee]

Dom, if you have a multimeter you can test the 100 amp fuse without getting under the car. Simply open the bonnet with the keys in your pocket, and check the voltage at the terminal at the back of the alternator. If you can find 12+ volts, then the fuse is fine. If you cannot find any volts anywhere, then the fuse is suspect.

I have to say that 100 amp fuse failures have never given me the light on the dashboard. That only happened when my alternator failed.

Just for completeness, please post a photo of your alternator and auxilliary belt, taken from the front, so that we can check the routing of your belt. An incorrect routing can cause the belt to slip over the alternator and not drive it consistently.

[kevd]

I had the same problem, and it turned out to be a cracked fuse. It only became apparent when I took the fuse out of the holder and it fell in half. I could not see the crack and it did not show up on the multi meter
The only problem for me was that I had bought a new alternator as I was convinced it was this.

[kevd]

I had the same problem, and it turned out to be a cracked fuse. It only became apparent when I took the fuse out of the holder and it fell in half. I could not see the crack and it did not show up on the multi meter
The only problem for me was that I had bought a new alternator as I was convinced it was this.

[kevd]

I had the same problem, and it turned out to be a cracked fuse. It only became apparent when I took the fuse out of the holder and it fell in half. I could not see the crack and it did not show up on the multi meter
The only problem for me was that I had bought a new alternator as I was convinced it was this.

[QBee]

Same problem three times? That IS unlucky

[kevd]

I just don't learn too quick