Battery Warning Light

[barryorba]

hi

 

just picked up the gal , after a 2 week holiday, car started first time, however the red battery light stayed on all the way home, has anyone experienced this , does anyone know the cure

 

regards

 

barry

[Beyond Help?]

What model/engine?

[barryorba]

2002 1.9 tdi

[Smilge]

First thing I would Barryorba is to get hold of a multimeter and measuring DC volts, measure the voltage across the battery terminals with the engine running. You should get between 13.8 and 14.4 volts and if it's around 12V then the alternator or associated wiring/main fuse box is suspect.

[barryorba]

hi

 

put the multimeter on, without engine running 11.8, with ehgine running 11.8.

 

regards

 

barryorba

[Smilge]

From the experience of a few people on here, you'll need to check the state of the main fuse/bus box in the engine compartment. You're looking for burnt / discoloured cables and possibly melted plastic if it has gone that far. If that's OK then it looks as though you need to change the alternator or if you know a good auto electrical repair shop, get the diode pack changed on the alternator itself at a fraction of the cost of a new one. Have a good look at the cables and connectors from/to the alternator first before you remove it for repair.

[barryorba]

thanks for that, i will go and check it all out

[barryorba]

hi

 

all fuses, fuse box, cables and connections good, so its off to the auto electricians with the alternator for a new diode pack

 

regards

 

barry

[barryorba]

back on the road, new alternator fitted,

 

regards

 

barry

[Smilge]

New alternator? ............. glad you got it sorted.

[barryorba]

yeah, i took it back to the garage where i bought it, and they offered to fix it, long live coastal cars, javea, these boys are the dogs with chocolate on.

 

regards

 

barry

 

ps

 

they also replaced the drive belt.