BERTMAN 40 1 Cars Posted May 9, 2008 i was having starting problems with my car, electric windows, radio etc all worked ok but the battery didnt have enough charge to turn over the engine, so i was having to bump start it everywhere, now ive replaced the battery with a new 1, and within a day the battery light came on and it was stuggling to turn the engine over. The car seems to be ok during the day starting most of the time but the big problem is at night with my lights on the battery light stays on either dim or bright red all the time, im thinking this is proberly an alternator problem or related wiring? the belt looks very tired so do you reckon just replacing the belt could cure it? also what do the earthing points on top of the shocks earth exactly? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goliath 94 Posted May 9, 2008 I had this problem once, i cured it by running a big thick cable (battery-starter motor cable of a fiesta!) straight from the positive battery terminal to the alternator. i doubt changing the belt will help, as it sounds like either the wiring is dodgy. or you alternator isnt giving the proper output if any. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christopher 5 1 Cars Posted May 9, 2008 Could be an intermittent fault with the alternator. You can test it with a voltmeter. It's amazing how far you can actually drive just on just battery power. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bren_1.3 1 Posted May 9, 2008 another vote for dodgy alternator. check over the wiring aswell. i did the same as Goliath on a friends car, it helped but didnt cure the problem... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casanova 0 Posted May 10, 2008 (edited) I had a problem with the regulator on my alternator for a while. Wasn't charging the battery, although could be revived with a blow from a hammer! Kept doing that every 50 miles for a few weeks until it finally expired. Sounds obvious but I assume the belt is taut and all the connections are tight? § Edited May 10, 2008 by Casanova Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BERTMAN 40 1 Cars Posted May 13, 2008 (edited) the belt was taught enough and the wiring looks fine, ive changed the alternator and belt now, just need to charge up my battery now.. i think i will run a wire directly to the battery just for a giggle. how can i check my 'new' alternator is charging my battery without a voltmeter? Edited May 13, 2008 by BERTMAN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Casanova 0 Posted May 13, 2008 (edited) Well, if the battery light is on, its not charging (or you've not connected the wire), if its off, its ok! § Edited May 13, 2008 by Casanova Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kilauea 7 Posted May 31, 2008 also what do the earthing points on top of the shocks earth exactly? The shocks - static through the tyres will wreck your wheel barings eventually if you don't earth them. So I was told about mine by a mechanic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrod 7 Posted June 1, 2008 It's actually to complete the circuit for your break pad warning light. Not sure if the above has any truth it in but mine arn't earthed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AdamP 0 Posted June 1, 2008 The shocks - static through the tyres will wreck your wheel barings eventually if you don't earth them.So I was told about mine by a mechanic. I think you've been had! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey S 29 1 Cars Posted June 1, 2008 I think you've been had! he hasnt, its definately true. renault clio's suffer terribly from static in the shock sbsorber destroying the wheel bearings if there not earthed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptainK 11 Posted June 2, 2008 I had a problem with the regulator on my alternator for a while. Wasn't charging the battery Same here - the alternator wasn't working at below 3000rpm, but after that it would actually do some charging. So after a while my 205 would die, then mysteriously work for a while, then die. Reconned the alternator and was all fixed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted June 2, 2008 Same here - the alternator wasn't working at below 3000rpm, but after that it would actually do some charging. So after a while my 205 would die, then mysteriously work for a while, then die. Thats how they behave when the battery warning light wire is disconnected, as well as making the light work it also excites the alternator, but some alternators will self excite at approx 3K RPM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptainK 11 Posted June 2, 2008 Thats how they behave when the battery warning light wire is disconnected, as well as making the light work it also excites the alternator, but some alternators will self excite at approx 3K RPM. I checked that wire first too, and so did my local garage and I think the AA. Mine was found to be problematic due to the rectifiers on the alternator being up the duff and not working. So it was giving an inconsistent charge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
