Car Tech Help

[Smokin Joe]

The alternator warning light came on this morning on my '02 Almera. I drove about four miles home and parked up. The car has started on the button a couple of times since and putting a multi meter across the battery terminals I am getting a steady 12.21 volts, which is puzzling as I would have expected it to die fairly quickly. Do the lights ever play up when the alternator is still ok, or is it farked?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Is the belt OK? Even a flattish battery will still indicate 12 volts or so.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Is the belt OK? Even a flattish battery will still indicate 12 volts or so.

Belts ok, first thing I checked. Four starts now and still crisp, with the lights on and the blower on full I get a reading of 11.88 volts. The old banger isn't really worth a new alternator as the front tyres are also due replacement and the ignition key has been stuck in the barrel for a while, not really a problem as it's parked on the drive and the nature of my job means the heap has secure parking, plus I can still lock it.

 

[gbb]

12.21 volts, engine running or not ?

 

[Smokin Joe]

12.21 volts, engine running or not ?

Running.

 

[helston90]

Had a similar thing on my Focus and it was the water pump (bearings) knackered - the alternator just couldn't work out what was going wrong so threw up errors to let me know there was something not right.

 

[I like Skol]

Should be at least 13-14V if the alternator is working. Is there much change in the voltage when the engine is switched off?

 

[fossyant]

How old is the battery ?

 

[Outlaw Hobbs]

Check the voltage with engine running, then switch on some high demanding units e.g. headlights and screen demister. The voltage should stay at 13 to 14; if it drops right off the yes the alternator is dead or dying. Don't bother with a refurbished alternator, shop around at good online motor factors and buy a brand new OEM unit. Install it yourself or get a friend to do it for you.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Been confirmed by a mechanic mate as the alternator. The MoT is due on Tuesday and he is going to give it a good inspection to see if it will pass. If it won't without a lot of expense I'll say goodbye to it, otherwise a replacement alternator. The car is on an '02 plate and I've had it for three faultless years so it owes me nothing if I have to scrap it.

 

[DRM]

Surely the alternator can be refurbed, usually it’ll need replacement carbon bushes, or voltage regulator, or for what it’s worth,both,might not be that expensive a fix

 

[Smokin Joe]

Garage phoned, recon alternator £40 and a track rod end plus a tyre to get through the MoT, all work I'd have done myself a few years ago but I have no intention of lying under cars anymore.

It's a goer, anyway

 

[DRM]

Good news, you’ll likely get a few more years out of it, I know where you’re coming from re doing the work yourself, it starts to wear a bit thin at a certain age

 

[fossyant]

Garage phoned, recon alternator £40 and a track rod end plus a tyre to get through the MoT, all work I'd have done myself a few years ago but I have no intention of lying under cars anymore.

It's a goer, anyway

Good cars Nissan's

 

[I like Skol]

Good cars Datsun's

FTFY