Bloody Car Electrics

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

Wondering if someone can help. I'm not a mechanic and won't ever profess to be, but I have a feeling my alternator has died.

 

Right, yesterday I noticed the battery warning light was on. No worries I thought, so I went for a blast down a motorway to give it some charge. Ran the lights on to get it charged up. Was still on when I got home after a good 20 odd miles. Car locked fine and the alarm was all oky doky.

 

Battery is under 3 months old.

 

This morning at 6.30 I went to start the car, kicked in first time. Battery warning light still on. Was misty so had my lights on while driving Mrs to work. But it didn't get that far

 

About 2 miles from home the car started to judder and splutter and all the electrics decided to fade away and die a horrible black death. "Crap" I said to the Mrs.

 

Obviously the car wouldn't start and wouldn't bump start in 1st or 2nd down a hill we pushed it too. Theres nothing, not even a flicker from the immobiliser light. When the battery dies a couple months back I could still bump start it and it would run as long as it had revs. The difference today as above, it died while at 40mph

 

Checked all wiring around the battery and alternator and all seems fine.

 

I'm guessing it is a sticking/worn/generally knackered alternator, but I'm open to suggestions. The car's been locked amnually with the keys and parked in an industrial estate, so will have to call my trusty garage to collect and inspect it seems.

 

Thoughts and advice welcome

[jimistdt 1]

That sounds almost like what would happen if your Alternator belt had come off, for fear of sounding patronising, the belt is still on there isn't it?

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

That sounds almost like what would happen if your Alternator belt had come off, for fear of sounding patronising, the belt is still on there isn't it?

 

Hahahaha yeah, it's still on and not loose or over tight either. It wasn't that long ago (4 months maybe) that it came off when I was replacing some oil breathers etc, so definitely tight. Just the bloody things stranded and it's an awful long way to push it

[pugit666 2]

do you have a multi-meter? charge your battery up and get your car started. battery should have about 12.7v in or so. when the car is running put the meter on it and it should read 13.5 - 14 v, if it stays at 12 then your alt is not working as it should

[pugit666 2]

mine did the same thing, i broke down and had to get a bus across town to andrew page, buy 2 alternators as i didn't know which one i needed and a battery. got the bus back to my car put the new battery on drove it home quick before that went flat, swapped the alt then drove back to pages to take the other Alt back. what a day that was haha

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

do you have a multi-meter? charge your battery up and get your car started. battery should have about 12.7v in or so. when the car is running put the meter on it and it should read 13.5 - 14 v, if it stays at 12 then your alt is not working as it should

 

Sorry I don't fella.

 

Car electrics are the one thing that totally bewilder me unfortunately. So I may stump up the cashes for a garage to sort the problem out in one go, possibly save future hassle.

 

Just looking (hypothetically) at what a new alternator would cost me.

 

Any suggestions, or good sites as I may provide the part myself is necessary to save a few ££.

[jimistdt 1]

I don't know if you've got a Lidl (Leeedl?) near you, but they were selling multimeters last week for about six quid or so.

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

I don't know if you've got a Lidl (Leeedl?) near you, but they were selling multimeters last week for about six quid or so.

 

About 4 miles away Actually further than the garage I use.

 

Bugger

[pugit666 2]

they are a cheap and valuable thing for any 205 owner. easy to use too. if i were you i'd try and get one as it will pay for itself ten times over. if your Alt is knackered they are easy to swap over. i think Andrew Page do bosch Alts still. not sure on prices though

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

they are a cheap and valuable thing for any 205 owner. easy to use too. if i were you i'd try and get one as it will pay for itself ten times over. if your Alt is knackered they are easy to swap over. i think Andrew Page do bosch Alts still. not sure on prices though

 

Will pick one up when I can. didn;t realise how useful they were to be fair.

 

Looked on GSF and their price for an alternator is £69.50+VAT (£79.92)

 

Looked on Euro Car Parts and their prices range from £70.15 for a RTX alternator to £102.14 for a Lucas one. They do have a lot of surcharges though. The RTX one seems a good price and free delivery too.

 

All the above is based on the alternator being the issue I guess.

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

Well just had the garage come get the keys so they can collect the car. Even if they can only do seome tests today, it would be nice to know the problem. I said to call me before any work is done, though, as I may be able to get the parts cheaper.

 

Fingers crossed it's not something major.

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

Got a phone call a few hours ago from the garage the cars at. Did some tests and my hunch was right - dead alternator. Just not holding charge. I had a strong feeling about it, as Ive had a dead battery before and this was totally different.

 

Not too expensive saying that the car needed recovering on a trailer.

 

Recovery, a new alternator and labour; £142 inc VAT, so happy enough with that.

[pugit666 2]

glad you got it sorted so quick