Battery Light Turned On While Running

[Miguelhbx 2]

Hey, today I was driving normally and the battery light went on, I turned the car off,then on, gave it some gas, and it kept on, does anybody know if this is a warning light for something when the engine is running?

Edited February 22, 2012 by Miguelhbx

[sensualt101 31 1 Cars]

it usually means a fault with the alternator or charging system!

 

so if your battery goes flat you will know or do the usual checks for voltage at the battery ( 13 -14v ) or above is generally normal

 

it could be an earthing problem too!

 

it will be something inexpensive or simple so dont be too worried! but dont try driving at night til sorted or you will get stranded as the battery will need assistance from the alternator when all electrics are being used ie lights!

[SurGie 54]

It could be either the alternator that's gone or a loose wire for the alternator.

[burr_2000 1]

Could be alternator on way out

 

[Miguelhbx 2]

Well i'll have to see this weekend then, I was already planning a check over the electrical system since my horns don't work, i'll see if i can find out i it's the alternator acting up.

I don't really know if it's expensive or not, I checked a site with parts and they go from 50€ to almost 300€ ( bosch one) so i'm slighly scared

[sensualt101 31 1 Cars]

a lot of place do recon alternators on an exchange basis for less than that mate!

[N3VRAM 12 1 Cars]

I changed my alternator at unipart a couple of weeks ago, would have been £109 +VAT but i took my old one down there and got a new one on exchange for £90 (inc vat). Just so you know!

 

EDIT: The one i got back was an identical Valeo one also

Edited February 25, 2012 by N3VRAM

[dcc 855]

check your aux belt is still attached!

[sensualt101 31 1 Cars]

and that solved the issue? ie it was the alternator not charging? let us know as its always good to know a diagnosis was correct!

[batespeed 0]

first thing is check the alternator belt hasnt fallen off or is slipping/loose, then check all the wires are still atached to the back of it. if thats ok put a voltmeter across the battery terminals, if it reads the same with the engine off as it does with it running (12 point something volts) then your alternator is knackered, a healthy alternator should read 13.5 to 14.5 volts with engine running

Edited February 25, 2012 by batespeed

[SurGie 54]

I'd have thought the fan belt would be making some noise if that was at fault.

[Tom Fenton 1,539]

It won't make much noise if it has broken or otherwise fallen off.

[UnderNutter 0]

Hope this doesnt constitute a thread hi-jack but I've been having a similar problem.

 

Car is a 1991 1.1 litre TU carbed motor.

 

I'd been getting the charge/battery light coming on dimly during normal driving. Me being me I'd been ignoring it, and it's been flickering, and getting progressively brighter.

 

On thursday night I went up to work with two mates, and I stalled it while parking it. It wouldnt re start (flat battery!) This was following an hour and a half driving in VERY heavy traffic (diesel spill on the A34 so all and sundry were being sent round the houses) with the headlights on.

 

Two hours later it started fine. then I filled it up with petrol on the way home and we had to push-start it. I also dived into the corner shop just after, and instinctively turned the ignition off. doh. Had to get a jump start off a stranger

 

This morning I set to work on it.

When I got a jump-start off a on thursday night (man in purple mk.4 golf with jump leads so huge they looked like you'd nicked them from a power station, you're a hero) we noticed that my terminal connectors werent quite cutting the mustard. so, removed them, cleaned them with emery and brass brush, and replaced incorporating some tinfoil.

The battery was totally flat so I jumped it off the BMW and it started fine. Once the engine was running, the battery was reading a healthy 13 volts, and the alternator was putting out a good voltage too, about 13.8 or so. The reading at the alternator rose with the revs, but the reading at the battery fell. So, is my alternator doing its job: yay or nay?

 

The charge light was still on, but VERY dimly. barely even noticeable. I took it for a 30 mile round drive to the wreckers yard and it was fine. Left it for an hour while I was in there, and started fine afterwords. charge light was out for most if not all of that journey.

 

So later on today I go take it for a drive and the charge light is on as before again. Super. Get back, and replace my impromptu battery terminals with some brand new articles. No change. It did have the power to start, mind.

 

The battery is only 4 months old

 

Any thoughts?

 

Please and thank you

 

Dave

[dcc 855]

buy yourself an electrical tester (if not already owned) and test the charge, needs to be around 13.8, 13.5 and under is too low.

 

UnderNutter - I think you have something which most 205 owners have - the dreaded corrosion of wiring to the starter, as opposed to any battery fault.

 

Sergie - Not sure if you know this, I think you do though, as your really good at stuff, but these cars don't run a fan belt. The fan is electrical, more so because of the engine angle than anything else. They do however have an auxiliary belt for the alternator.

 

Mine is on most of the time, especially when I have my fans and/or lights. I know exactly why, I just cba to fix it as it isn't going to harm my car, but im sure i'll sort this when I can be fawked.

[Miguelhbx 2]

check your aux belt is still attached!

Well it turned out the belt had broken!

I'm pretty glad that the water pump isnt run by this belt like in some cara, that would have vêem catastrophic lol.

Simple 8 euro repair.and the battery lasted almost 200 km before loosing charge, pretty amazing aha!

Thanks guys

[dcc 855]

[jackherer 543]

I just cba to fix it as it isn't going to harm my car, but im sure i'll sort this when I can be fawked.

 

I thought that and the fault that developed could have set fire to the car! http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?showtopic=80354

[UnderNutter 0]

Thanks Gents. I'll renew the battery/alternator/starter wire and see how we get on.

 

Dave

[SurGie 54]

I've always called the "auxiliary belt" the fan belt, the alternator has a fan that the belt runs on so is sort of related in a way.

 

Oh and i'm not good, im just average.

 

When fan belts have broke on my cars there has always been a noise when they break or at least are noisy before hand, glad its a cheap fix for you. I always carry one of those cheap fix it ones you can buy from most petrol stations, or use a pair of old tights from the GF so you can go and get a new one.

[TRMB84GTI 1]

_{I have had this issue with my car also, you have prob checked this anyway. My 205 had a poor connection on the battery and the battery light would stay on and sometimed just cut out. Put a screw with the connection and its fine now. Could be totaly useless info but thought I would share,}

[UnderNutter 0]

Well, I had my suspicions that the alternator was billy-bucked. I was told that it should be kicking out 14.5v or thereabouts under load at idle. Headlamps, blowers, and heated screen all on and it was struggling to hit 13v.

 

Jump in the Bimmer, down the scrapyard, pulled an alternator and nearly new V-belt off of a citroen AX (along with some other nice trinkets from a K-plate 205 sceptre while I'm at it 8) ), and spent the afternoon fitting it. Hey presto no more charge light. Jobs a goodun.

 

On the downside, The BMW is leaking oil from, well, damn nearly everywhere and I'm going to have to take it off the road for a bit. You cant win them all as they say.