Puzzle of the flickering/on/off battery light - any ideas?

[amazon]

Would appreciate anyone's thoughts/ideas on this puzzle please.

Car (4.2) was serviced before German trip, when we returned, I didn't use it for 2 days. Unlocked it and washed it. When I went to start it later to get it warmed up for departure - I noticed the radio was on and the battery light. I thought maybe I'd knocked something, so hit the red button, but situation stayed the same, but if I hit the black button it switched things off (so, behaved like it was the red one!) Car then started fine. Ran the engine for a while in case I'd got water in there whilst washing it. When I turned the engine off, the radio turned off as it should. But the battery light stayed on.

Went out without the Cerbera and when I got back the battery light was still on. I blocked the car in and unlocked it, just in case the battery was actually draining. In the morning it had gone off. Car started fine etc. etc.

Since that time the battery light will sometimes be ON for long periods (whilst the car is running), then will go off, then do some flickering. There seems to be no pattern to it whatsoever, completely random. The car however, feels great. Engine bursts into life, no messing about.

So; Big Fuse checked, was thought to be loose nuts holding the fuse. These were tightened and fingers crossed. Okay for 10 miles and then back to flickering etc.

Battery voltage checked, normal.

The garage are due to change the big fuse holder next Monday in an attempt to resolve. I don't know enough to come up with any helpful suggestions!

This first happened 3 weeks ago and the car starts and runs fine! I don't tend to do very short journeys in the Cerb, so *if* it's not charging as it should, it still has plenty of miles to correct the situation. Only one 'blip' where the MIL light flickered, the engine coughed and then it took off again.

All very strange. If anyone has had the same problem or has any ideas how to resolve, I'd be delighted to hear about it. Thank you!

[ancol]

long shot i know but may be the steering wheel control box which is under drivers side footwell but high up could be a bad connection on the ribbon cable or the multi plug pull each one off in turn and reconnect make sure they are pushed fully home if this works fine, but it may be the box itself if you think it may be suspect see if you can swap with a friend just to eliminate. when i blew lots of my boxes that was the kind of problem i had with ign light radio etc, but thats a long story so wont go into that hope this is of help to you. ps make sure you note which way ribbon cable comes off keep orientation the same when reconnecting

[keithyboy]

Hey Nicky - I had a similar problem when I had my previous TVR - a V8S. Intermittent flickering but no other noticeable symptoms. Managed to eventually pinpoint it as a faulty alternator - diode pack. Worth checking the output when the flickering occurs if you can - difficult I know. I'm sure our mutual friend Keith W could check it out for you??

Edited by keithyboy on Thursday 10th May 23:29

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ancol said:

long shot i know but may be the steering wheel control box which is under drivers side footwell but high up could be a bad connection on the ribbon cable or the multi plug pull each one off in turn and reconnect make sure they are pushed fully home if this works fine, but it may be the box itself if you think it may be suspect see if you can swap with a friend just to eliminate. when i blew lots of my boxes that was the kind of problem i had with ign light radio etc, but thats a long story so wont go into that hope this is of help to you. ps make sure you note which way ribbon cable comes off keep orientation the same when reconnecting

Thanks Ancol - I will certainly check it out. It may well end up being one of these 'long shot' ideas!

[amazon]

keithyboy said:

Hey Nicky - I had a similar problem when I had my previous TVR - a V8S. Intermittent flickering but no other noticeable symptoms. Managed to eventually pinpoint it as a faulty alternator - diode pack. Worth checking the output when the flickering occurs if you can - difficult I know. I'm sure our mutual friend Keith W could check it out for you??

Edited by keithyboy on Thursday 10th May 23:29

Morning Keithyboy! Ah, interesting you should say that, cos' someone else mentioned that just yesterday in conversation too. Thanks for your idea, I now have a couple more things to check! (Well, get someone to check anyway! ). Although actually, I should be able to follow Ancol's idea myself, without causing further problems!

[ancol]

btw nicky need some pics of your motors in your profile

[amazon]

ancol said:

btw nicky need some pics of your motors in your profile

Ah yes, really must do something about that! Of course this has just made me look at your profile and your car is stunning!

Hope you're following the thread re. the trip to Nurburgring in October? Are you thinking of joining the trip?

[ancol]

dont think i will be able to make it unfortunately october is a busy month for me as i am involved in a pantomime company, for my sins i am stage manager and my wife produces it you guys should have a panto meet in the west mids its a great night out only prob is, it goes on in january and the weather is normally bad, and before you say it oh no it isnt i will beat you to it.

[amazon]

Turned out to be the alternator as suggested by a couple of people. Good thing about all the checks for possible causes is that at least I know big fuse, big fuse holder, earths etc. are all okay for the time being!

Thanks for your help .