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[Liam]

Hi folks,

Quick Q. Battery light on this morning. No sign of it on a longish drive yesterday. Starts OK, though not for long, I guess, if it really isn't charging . Battery itself is pretty new. I haven't had a chance to look under the bonnet yet, but am pretty certain I still have a belt or I'd have overheating and no power steering. Can't check voltage to confirm at the moment either as I dont have my multimeter with me.

So question is, is there a fuse I can look at, or do I immediately assume my alternator is dead and add another job to my list of jobs to take up my week off work ?

Cheers

[Kevin Wood]

If the rest of the instrument panel is working OK I would say there's something up with the alternator but checking the voltages when you get to your multimeter is the next step.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1225724099

Needless to say, drive it with the bare minimum of electrical items on if you need to do so.

[Liam]

Hmm no easy failed fuse fix, then? Thanks for the link. I really need to check voltage - I wonder if Halfrauds will do a free check for me??

[Liam]

Well I got a free check at Halfords and the battery voltage is only 12 at idle. So if there are definately no fuses in the charging circuit, I guess the alternator is to blame. Found this so maybe a cheap fix is still possible ...

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1153772945

[Kevin Wood]

Worth checking that the crimp hasn't failed where the wire from the alternator & starter meets the battery positive terminal. A common problem.

Otherwise, probably the alternator. They can be refurbed with a new regulator + brushes assembly if the windings and bearings are OK.

[Liam]

Thanks I'll check there. Wiring is the other possible cause I suppose. I'm sure the engine earth strap and chassis to battery negative terminal must be OK or it would struggle to start, so that leaves the alternator to battery possitive terminal connection.

[Kevin Wood]

Thanks I'll check there. Wiring is the other possible cause I suppose. I'm sure the engine earth strap and chassis to battery negative terminal must be OK or it would struggle to start, so that leaves the alternator to battery possitive terminal connection.

Yep, and, TBH, if the light's on we're clutching at straws there. Worth checking while you're at it, though. If the battery terminal gets hot when the car's running with a bit of electrical load it's a clear indication that the joint is not in great condition.

[Raymienets]

Used to have this problem with an othere car and the diode had shorted on the alternator.