Flashing Lights, Dying Radio - Dodgy Earth?

[FireFly 4]

Evening chaps,

Driving back home tonight in the 205 the CD player randomly started turning off and on then stopped turning on altogether.

I also then noticed the headlights were dimming and flashing. They also started flashing on and off whenever I indicate or put the hazards on.

The drivers side one is also a lot dimmer then usual.

The only thing I can think of is I changed the battery the other week and might of knocked/kinked/loosened/worn through some cables?

It's too dark to look now but if anyone has any ideas then please do share!

Edit; Forgot to mention its got HID's in.

Edited February 26, 2013 by FireFly

[glenwah 20]

I would check the charging to start with.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Alternator is dying.

[Daviewonder 533 3 Cars]

Possibly a dying alternator. Mine did all this as well as backfiring, then dying. It would jumpstart ok but than do the same a few miles down the road.

[flipperthebushkangaroo 2]

Does your battery light come on with the ignition?

If not it could be the exciter wire for the alternator (which also supplys the warning light so no fault warning!!).

 

Roddie

[FireFly 4]

The battery light on the dash dims, brightens and generally is very random most of the time.

 

No one thinks it could be damp eating at part I the loom?

 

Will a 1.9XUD alternator fit ok? It's a 1.9XUD lump in it but not sure about space.

 

Thanks.

[welshpug 1,666]

Its all XUD7 bracketry so any alternator that fits that will do, like the gti units, 306 S16/405 MI16 non aircon.

[FireFly 4]

Went to start car for first time since this happened and you guessed it, it won't start.

Here's a video of the noise its making, I'm guessing its either starter or alternator.

I have a 1.9 starter and alternator so is it worth putting both those on to be safe?

Here's the vid:

 

[FireFly 4]

Think I found the problem, will jump/charge car up when Mrs gets back just to check!

Basically theres an earth connected to the strut with a little crimp so it can literally just be nudged off (which I must of done when changing the battery).

[Anthony 1,003]

That's for the brake pad wear sensor. The starter/alternator should not be earthing through that and it being unplugged should have no effect (other than the brake pad wear sensors no working).

[FireFly 4]

Ah balls, in that case then there isn't any earth/connection issues.

[Anthony 1,003]

I can't see the video above at work, so apologies if I'm missing something that's on there but not the thread.

 

What I would say with regards the symptoms....

• Failing alternator is the most likely cause, and often seem to follow a failed battery in short order.
• Check that the main positive feed to the alternator is securely attached and in good condition, as I've seen several of these that are corroded and ready to break off at any moment. This gives a poor connection and a flicking light and intermittent charge tends to result, but more importantly, if it were to break away completely it is a significant fire risk (unfused high ampage cable that pretty much can't go anywhere but short against an earthed metal part)
• Check that the connections onto the shunt box are all good, as these being in poor condition will cause issues
• Check that the diesel injector pump isn't leaking, as I've seen these leak into the alternator resulting in it failing.
• Make sure that the charge/battery light comes on with ignition on and goes out when starting the engine. No light on ignition on means that the alternator won't start charging until you have enough revs for it to "self-excite" and may stop charging again after a period of idling/low revs

A multimeter is your friend, but the lights dimming along with the charge/battery warning light does certainly sound like the alternator about to give up and charging intermittently.

[chris-gti 14]

I would say 95% sure it's alternator.

 

Mine failed and the battery light didn't illuminate. pain in the arse. then the new replacement did the same. turned out to be a faulty replacement.

[FireFly 4]

It was the alternator - all sorted now mate.