Topic

If your alternator isnt working, then you only have about 30 mins to 1 hour driving befor the battery is dead and the car conks out.

Power steering takes a fair bit of the battery capacity compared with non electric PAS cars

What is the battry voltage when the car is not running, and what is it when it is idling? Check at the battery connections

Do you have to keep charging it every time you drive it?

Just suggesting you might have a duff voltmeter?

Maybe a bad earth or a bad battery!

Investigate it properly before throwing more money at the car!

If you do breakdown due to the alternator, do not tell the mechanic you knew you had a bad alternator, as this would be considered neglegence, and poor maintenance, and outside the recovery contract terms and conditions!

If you venture onto a motorway, you could also be breaking the law!

my volt meter is new it is showing 12.6volt from the bttery, the same when it is running , been told it could be the rectifier as the heat from the engine bay can kill it, i am going to take the altinator off and have it tested, the battery is new, i have done all checks whith everything on lights wipers heater on full and hazard lights going goes down to 10.6 volt. any ideas?

thanks will take what you say on board, but have to use it untill next week when i get my nissan juke, i have a on board heads up unit and without anything on its showing 11.6 volt, dont go on the motorway just through town, but need my mobility for now so will take the chance,

Our F is 20 years old in November and apart from OMGHGF which contributed to an embarrassingly low purchase price the only FTP in nearly 4 years it's had was a problem with the central locking which magically fixed it's self so it's all really down to luck wether your wallet gets emptied on a regular basis.

graham1 wrote: wrote:

my volt meter is new it is showing 12.6volt from the bttery, the same when it is running , been told it could be the rectifier as the heat from the engine bay can kill it, i am going to take the altinator off and have it tested, the battery is new, i have done all checks whith everything on lights wipers heater on full and hazard lights going goes down to 10.6 volt. any ideas?

Is the ignition light ON before you start the engine?

Does the ignition light go out when the engine is running?

How often do you re-charge your battery?

About 10 mins before the engine cuts out (due to low battery voltage) the PAS light will come on, the steering will get heavy, and the dashboard will stop functioning. Gives a little warning of impeding doom!

just happed to me breakdown truck brought me home, shame on me,

Graham

You were lucky!

When my alternator failed (150 miles from home) AA wanted to take me to a local garage and arrange a NEW alternator be fitted.

The local disributer could only get one next day, and I declined the offer of overnight accomadation and so get recovered home.

If one was in stock I would be expected to pay for the NEW alternator and fitting charge, which could have run into £300 to £400.

Check your breakdown small print. They may also have the option to do this as an alternative to recovery!

graham1 wrote: wrote:

just happened to me breakdown truck brought me home, shame on me,

Ahhh.........the ride of shame!

Graham , I think you need to go and sit on the naughty step after both myself and GORSQ warned you of impending doom ! Bad boy !

Yes, I was lucky, went to the car one morning and the battery was flat. Charged the battery and checked the volts into the battery once running, and yep, the alternator was up the creek.
Knowing that the MG specialist was 10 miles away, and that there was enough charge in the battery to get me there, I ran it over. Alternator and fitting was about £150.00.
Just another one of many unexpected little costs to keep me happy!!
Oh, the joys, the joys!
Good luck if you are fitting a new one yourself, beware the broken bolt adjuster, and skinned knuckles.

just bought a good one off a mate £30 going to have to cut the top nut off with my grinder as it refuses to budge got the updated ajuster on so no problems there, still using it untill tomorrow,but have a spare battery in the boot, better safe than sorry, will fit tomorrow,so then i can say i have built the bloody car,

replaced the alternator with one from the breakers yard, £28, running and charging 13.4 volt. put my OBD reader on showing P0001 code, got this sorted as i know it will be a broken wire in the boot loom, bit of a pain to do, but i will tackle it tomorrow, spent enough out for now, best bit fuzz gave me the thumbs up with it.