Xenonman Posted January 18, 2004 Report Posted January 18, 2004 The alternator workshop warning light is flashing again, this is after i took it in the dealer on friday.The dealer checked the alternator and the wiring but no error codes were registered in the ECU but i have found that it only does this from cold start up. I just nipped out 10 mins ago, it's about 1 deg outside, Started the car drove about 100yds then beep beep beep "ALTERNATOR WORKSHOP" It did it for about another 100yds then stopped, all fine. The battery lamp was also flashing at this point and the trip computer display was also dimming with loss of charging power, i dont think the belt is slipping, if anything it will be tighter with being cold. If the alternator is on its way out, how can i convince Ford to put a new one in if they can't find nothing wrong with it, have i got to break down whilst my wife and kids are in the car before they will fix it? What next??? Quote
Guest SA Intruder Posted January 18, 2004 Report Posted January 18, 2004 Difficult one.... You need to insist that they change the Alternator, even if it means being VERY firm. Threaten to call them day or night every time the warning light comes on, and ask for the Dealer Principles' contact number.... The dealer gets paid to change it under Warranty, so it's no skin of his nose. Not Evans Halshaw is it? Quote
Guest ianock Posted January 18, 2004 Report Posted January 18, 2004 If the dealer changes the alternator without indictment code,incorrect datalogger voltage readings or technical authorisation the warranty claim is likely to be rejected & the dealer fined.Might be worth leaving it with dealer overnight if you can & hopefully they could capture voltage output on datalogger to prove alternator is at fault. Quote
Xenonman Posted January 19, 2004 Author Report Posted January 19, 2004 Yes, I was thinking of doing that, however it is so intermittent they probably wouldn't catch it. I went to work this morning, it was freezing cold and snowing, thought it might play up again but it didn't. Probably won't do it now untill next week. When the battery icon came on, it was bright and didn't dim when i revved the engine, this must be the alternator at fault, diodes or something but why so intermittent? Quote
Guest SA Intruder Posted January 19, 2004 Report Posted January 19, 2004 It's probably a poor solder joint internally. The Alternators are made in Eastern Europe these days... Quote
Xenonman Posted January 26, 2004 Author Report Posted January 26, 2004 Since my last post i have managed to catch the alternator warning whilst i had a digital voltmeter connected through the cigarette lighter socket. For a start, it only does it when the engine is cold and when the vehicle is moving.It wont do it whilst stationary.There is a noticable rise in voltage on the meter before it beeps and the battery icon illuminates. Normal driving with heater fans on, radio and headlights is around 14.3v, the voltage will rise to 14.7v then the warning will sound, voltage goes down to 12.6v then back up to 14.3 ish. Its like some sort of cutoff happening, thing is getting it to do it while the dealer has it, I'm even thinking of videoing it with the DV cam so the dealer can see it happening, voltage meter and all. I really need this fixing cos it is annoying. Quote
seatkid Posted January 26, 2004 Report Posted January 26, 2004 Almost certainly a faulty alternator. It appears from your tests that the voltage regulator (which is internal to the alternator) is detecting an overvoltage condition and then shutting down or resetting. This could be due to a regulator or diode fault.Don't think the ECU would log anything as there is no communiction link between the alternator and the ECU. Not sure if this is one of Fords "smart" alternators which varies charge voltage depending on battery charge state.... Talk to your dealer about your test result. If your car is in warranty, threaten the three attempts to fix a fault or you want a new car rule? (not sure about that....) In any case document your visits and check they log it in their computer. Then try writing to Ford... Quote
Xenonman Posted January 26, 2004 Author Report Posted January 26, 2004 I had it to the dealers and they couldn't find any error code. I noticed as the engine gets warmed up and the battery gets charged it won't do the warning.But as i have mentioned in earlier posts, it is so intermittent. Quote
seatkid Posted January 26, 2004 Report Posted January 26, 2004 I repeat - I don't think the ECU would log anything as there is no communiction link between the alternator and the ECU. It pointless looking there... BTW is the battery the original supplied with the vehicle? Quote
Xenonman Posted January 26, 2004 Author Report Posted January 26, 2004 The car was bought new in September last year, the battery is original and holds its charge well, got to be the alternator that is faulty but why wont it do it when the engine is warm?? Quote
Guest SA Intruder Posted January 26, 2004 Report Posted January 26, 2004 The alternator isn't connected directly is partly true. The ECU records overvoltages if they occur. The reason your alternator only plays up when cold is load related. The highest output demand tends to be straight after starting in terms of battery replenishment. Which is why the belt theory usually stands up. The alternator is a standard proprietary 90A fixed output type -nothing fancy. It is not specified by Ford, it comes with the VW engine, ready dressed. Quote
Xenonman Posted January 27, 2004 Author Report Posted January 27, 2004 When you say Belt Theory, i take it that you mean the drive belt slipping?I checked the alternator it is, or it says on the white label, 120A made in GB. Probably be better if it came from Eastern Europe! Quote
Guest ianock Posted January 27, 2004 Report Posted January 27, 2004 Earlier style galaxies suffered from belt slip due to seized(seizing)tensioner but this also caused loud belt screetch :huh: Dont know of new galaxies have similar setup? Quote
Guest SA Intruder Posted January 27, 2004 Report Posted January 27, 2004 Different one to mine then.. Mine's made in the Czech republic, and is 90A. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.