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[Mr_P]

Monday night I noticed the battery light was lit on the instrument panel.  The more I revved the engine the brighter it got.  I got home and parked the car.  An hour later I went back to the car to investigate but the car would not start the battery was flat.  I boosted the battery and restarted the car the red battery light has gone out permanently.  The voltage across the battery terminals was low when engine running so the next day I replaced the alternator with a 100amp Bosch part from the scrappers.  I have recharged the battery overnight but it does not keep the charge.  So before I replace the battery can anyone comment any good advice regarding the matter?  Has anyone had a battery warning light blow before?  If battery voltage is very low will this drop the voltage reading from the alternator (as opposed to the reading when the battery is fully charged)?  Is there any one close to NG11 willing to lend me a spare battery (as an easy way the check if this discharges) or able to source me a discount on one? Would be very grateful.  Thanks

[Kevin Wood]

The alternator won't self excite unless it has the small current from the instrument panel light flowing through it so if this light has blown it may explain the lack of output.

In addition, check the crimping where the thicker of the wires going to each of the battery terminals connect. These frequently get loose. Look for signs of heating of the battery terminals and melting of the instlation here.

Kevin

[Admin]

Ok, first test.

Just switch the ignition on. The battery light should be on. If it isn't then bulb has gone.

Now check the voltage across the battery. It shoulf be around 13.6-14.v

Let us know the reading.


Also check the wiring as Kev has said. If a terminal is getting hot then it has a poor contact and will cause the problems.

Finally, I have trade club so can get you the battery for around £40.

[Mr_P]

The terminals seem ok.  I had over 14v when I first fitted the second hand alternator but the battery had just been charged.  I now get about 13.45 with the battery discharged / very low.  I would be happier if the warning lamp worked but I won’t have time to take the dash off until the weekend.  I will double check the voltages in a short while.  I might take you up on your kind offer if a long slow recharge doesn’t do the trick.  I will give you a P.M. to make arrangements.

........2 hour trickle charge on battery ....... ignition on and engine running 13.79v with all lights heater ect on and 14.45v without.

[Kevin Wood]

........2 hour trickle charge on battery ....... ignition on and engine running 13.79v with all lights heater ect on and 14.45v without.

That sounds OK. Does the light work now?

Could be that there's enough residual magnetism in the alternator to start it charging but not heavily loaded by a flat battery. Might also take high RPM before it starts charging. Fix the bulb and I'd say you'll be fine.

Kevin

[Marks DTM Calib]

Plus given the symptoms you described, it might have been teh alernator was over charging and cooked the battery resulting in the electrolyte boiling off.

[Mr_P]

I charged the battery from 15.00hrs yesterday until 5.30hrs this morning and the battery barely started the car.  I've had to boost it to get home.  So yes I think the batteries well and truly "cooked".    

.....  At last some good luck for a change .  A neighbour has given me a 75amp van battery.  I'll try this over night to see if it discharges like my old one.  As Kevin say's

Fix the bulb and I'd say you'll be fine.

 

How to take off the dash and will any motor factor have the correct bulb:question

[TheBoy]

I charged the battery from 15.00hrs yesterday until 5.30hrs this morning and the battery barely started the car.  I've had to boost it to get home.  So yes I think the batteries well and truly "cooked".    

.....  At last some good luck for a change .  A neighbour has given me a 75amp van battery.  I'll try this over night to see if it discharges like my old one.  As Kevin say's

Fix the bulb and I'd say you'll be fine.

 

How to take off the dash and will any motor factor have the correct bulb:question

See maintenence guides for dash removal

[Mr_P]

See maintenence guides for dash removal

Yep! Thanks, found two very useful guides one with pictures .  
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1192573381
It did occur to me to look and I'm not being lazy however I just don't seem to be able to find bugger all when using the Search.
And it not the first time ....I've not found stuff loads of times.... Hell I didn't find it this time either without trawling through all the pages.(well there were only 5)
but ..... Google it's Not

[TheBoy]

See maintenence guides for dash removal

Yep! Thanks, found two very useful guides one with pictures .  
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1192573381
It did occur to me to look and I'm not being lazy however I just don't seem to be able to find bugger all when using the Search.
And it not the first time ....I've not found stuff loads of times.... Hell I didn't find it this time either without trawling through all the pages.(well there were only 5)
but ..... Google it's Not

The search needs work, but I'm not willing to fix, as we will have another software update to implement soon (which will mean re-fixing all our tweaks).

In meantime, use google, and enter this for example:

site:www.omegaowners.com hbv

to find our hbv issues.

Hope that helps

[Mr_P]

Hope that helps  

Yes. Thank you, search works pretty well.  
I've managed to take off the instrument panel and swapped the faulty lamp with one from my petrol indicator lamp as none of the local factors have one to match.  Also replaced illumination lamps behind the air vents which I didn't know I had before reading about it on this site.  All work fine!

D'ya think I could "Google" a search to find the multi-meter I've misplaced .
I want to retest my alternator voltages suspect the heated seats may lower the charging voltage below 13.6v :question

[davlad22]

For future confirmation of anyone else reading this thread, to check whether warning lights are working, observe lights on dash panel when ignition is switched on. They should then extinguish upon starting the engine.

Just don't run out of petrol now Mr P!