Electrical Problems - Advice And Or Auto Electrician

[Atari Boy 11]

My 205 is trying its patience with me at the moment.

 

I have an electrical fault or two. The battery has not been charging properly consistently so I have fitted a new battery and had the alternator refurnished (which was knackered), I though all would be okay, alas not.

I am not expert with cars, let alone 19 year old French ones, so should I get an auto electrician to have a look or are there some simple(ish) tests I can do to try and trace the fault.

I have a multi meter but can’t pretend that I know what all of the knobs do.

Advice and encouragement welcome.

 

Thanks

 

Jonny

[jackherer 543]

Does the battery light on the dash light up when you turn the ignition on and go out when the engine starts?

[Atari Boy 11]

It did yes. I only have 11 volts on the battery now so nothing happens.

[Alastairh 47]

With the car running, what voltage do you have at the battery? And try it at the alternator to see if there is any difference.

Al

[jackherer 543]

With the car running, what voltage do you have at the battery? And try it at the alternator to see if there is any difference.

Al

 

Do the above tests first with the negative multimeter probe on the battery and then on the engine block and again see if that shows a difference.

[Atari Boy 11]

Right, charged the battery overnight. The battery now gives 12.5 volts with and without the engine running.

The altanator shows only 12.5 volts also at idle and at revs. Is this right? The alternator was only refurbished a month ago.

Is the alternator not working properly?

 

Thnaks

 

Jonny

[woodsy 0]

i would say the alternator is no good mate.Should show around 13.5volts really.Take it back to who refurbed it.

[flipperthebushkangaroo 2]

Right, charged the battery overnight. The battery now gives 12.5 volts with and without the engine running.

The altanator shows only 12.5 volts also at idle and at revs. Is this right? The alternator was only refurbished a month ago.

Is the alternator not working properly?

 

Thnaks

 

Jonny

 

Try the readings again with the engine at about 3000rpm and see if the voltage rises this time, check the connections on the alternator are correct and tight, does the ignition light still come on with engine off then go out when engine is running?

 

Sorry to ask so many questions but every little bit of info helps

 

Roddie

[Atari Boy 11]

Thanks for the tips, I will investigate and report back.

 

Jonny

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

As above, is the battery light on the dash working? This is required for the alternator to work properly, although some will work without, others will not.

[Atari Boy 11]

I have had another look tonight. The battery (stop) light comes one when I start the car and goes off when the engine is running.

I have checked the connections to the alternator and they seem okay.

Both the alternator and the battery are showing 12.5 volts regardless of the engine being at idle or 3,000 rpm.

Is the alternator at fault? I have found an auto electrician but don’t want to call him out for him to tell me the alternator is not working. Should I get the alternator checked over first?

Sorry if there are so many questions, I am out of my depth a little here.

 

Thanks again

 

Jonny

[CaptainP 2]

Whip the alternator out and take it to your local Lucas or similar. Could be the regulator is knackered.

[flipperthebushkangaroo 2]

as above certainly sounds like a u/s alternator or voltage regulator (which is part of the alternator) worth trying one from a scrappy or getting lucas or simalar to test one.

 

Roddie

[Atari Boy 11]

Yep, the regulator in the altanator was not working. All sorted, thank you everyone.