13 replies to this topic

[hainzie]

has anyone had this problem it keeps drainning the battery because its not chargeing when running
ive checked the connector to see if it was corred on the terminials of the battery and on the fins of the altanator
connector ive changedthe altanator aswell
has anyone got any ideas thanks chris

[Dan]

If you're only getting 12.5 volts at the battery, it will never charge. The alternator should be capable of putting out 14.5 ish volts to the battery with the headlamps on at fast idle.

Does your no-charge warning light work? The alternator needs it to be able to switch on and start produing power.

[hainzie]

the warning light comes on when i hig rev the car at like five thousand rpm
and i tried reving it to see if the lights go brighter they stayed the same and cant test altanator till next week and cant buy one bacause im skint lol any other suggestions.

[sonikk4]

You may find your replacement alt is kaput as well, this does happen. Like previously mentined check the power output of the alt from the back of it. If the charging light is on then there is a problem with it. Brushes could be shot or the diode pack has failed.

Whats the tension like on the fan belt?? it could be slipping if not tensioned correctly.

[hainzie]

cheers for reply's, its not slipping because that's the first thing i checked and the light doesn't come on till high rpm, and i know for a fact that the alt deff work's

[Dan]

So does the warning light show when the ignition is on and the engine not running, or only when you get to high revs?

[grumpy2]

how do you 'know' the alternator is OK, the usual test is to check the output voltage with a DVM. over 14volts is an indication that the alternator is good, under 14volts suggests the alternator is duff

G

[AzMaN]

battery could also be duff draging the voltage down but then i would expect you to have to jump start it each time.

sounds like worn brushes to me especialy if the light comes on at high revs.

what about the brightness/volts difference with engine off and on, is there any?

check all your terminals for tighness and make sure they are all clean of corrosion/rust.

best bet is to get a new one, if it cures it then good, if it dont then atleast you know it will last for years to come and you can try and fault find the rest of the system.

[Darkscamp]

check the small wire of the three coming out of the alternator. Mine had burnt out close to the starter motor and therefore the alternator wasnt charging the battery.

Ran a new wire of suitable rating and hey presto, 14.5v at the battery

[hainzie]

So does the warning light show when the ignition is on and the engine not running, or only when you get to high revs?

only with high revs mate (thankds for replying)

[Ethel]

Might be shorting at the warning light, pull it from the instruments: or rig up an alternative if it's not centre speedo stylie.

[hainzie]

i cleaned up all the earths and the connecter and changed the battery terminals, it seams to be working fine now.

what is the yellow light for on the dash when i went around a corner quick earlier it came on then went off again ?

[Dan]

The yellow light is the low oil pressure light. It's common for it to show under hard cornering, the central oil pickup pipe cures this. Do check your oil level though and change it if it's old.

The no-charge light should show when the ignition is on and the engine not running, the fact that it doesn't but the bulb does work and lights up at high revs points to a wiring problem in the dash. The alternator is not working because it isn't able to sense battery voltage, it needs to in order to work and it does that through the warning light.

[hainzie]

so how much is it for a oil pick up point and ho easy is it to fit?

thanks chris