it just stays on all the time i normally just get in and it starts but today for the first time the battery was totally dead after driving for about 20mins which was really strange.. but the red light does stay on all the time any ifo would be nice!!!
Get the battery on a charger and then get the old girl started up. Put a volt meter on the alternator and check your getting at least 12v from there. Happened to me about 3 months ago. The alternator had died.
The alternator produces AC inside but passes through a rectifier inside which outputs DC through the alternators terminals.
You should be getting about 13.8 volts across the battery terminals when it's charging properly and the battery has a reasonable charge.
I suspect if you have a push fit connector on the back of the alternator then this could have come loose or requires cleaning. Other than that check all terminal connections are tight. If all seems ok then it could well be the brushes that have worn and are no longer making contact. Replacements are available.
Mark.
I'm Not A Complete Idiot... Some Bits Are Missing!
would the leisure battery take the charge at all because they are linked for he split charging so if an appliance like a frige was left on would that drain the leisure battery then start drawing from the main battery or not???
If connected then they would drain at the same time but they shouldnt be connected when the engine is not running hence the name 'split charge' but if they are just linked with a length of cable then yes, they would both loose charge together.
Mark.
I'm Not A Complete Idiot... Some Bits Are Missing!
It is likely that the alternator needs a new regulator/bush pack fitting....available on the bay of fleas for around a tenner.
Undo the two philips head screws on the regulator, withdraw and measure the length of the bushes (really easy job)
This is the company I got mine from: CONTACT VEHICLE ELECTRICS, 166 STOCKFIELD ROAD, ACOCKS GREEN, BIRMINGHAM, B27 6AU. TEL : 0121 706 0688 EMAIL: VEHICLEELECTRICS@AOL.COM aftermarket part number was VERG1009 but you will need to cross reference your alternator number to get the correct part.
Martin
On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar now sleep xxHayleyxx
280stiracer wrote:um cam belt seems to be sound so yea hmmmmm
You won't find an alternator on a cam belt... Try the fan belt at other end of engine!
What the... there are 2 belts? I must be missing something - I'm going to have to go and have a look when I can, at my engine. I'm sure there isn't one at the back on mine. I have one at the front on the alternator - whats that belt called?
Sarah x
If you've gotta go, you've gotta go. (Camping that is )
Don't worry Sarah, your engine only has one! The cams are driven by a geared system inside the engine on yours, not by a belt.
The belt you can see (the only one you have!) is still called the fan belt... So you can sleep well tonight!
Mark.
I'm Not A Complete Idiot... Some Bits Are Missing!
So......if the alternator belt is intact and is tight enough to drive the alternator then..as I said....you will need a new regulator/bush pack fitting, the alternative being a recon alternator at a considerable higher cost.
Basically the bushes wear out and reach a point where they are unable to carry any current......then on comes the red light.
Martin
On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar now sleep xxHayleyxx
I had the same problem on my 86 Polo Coupe, basically the same alternator, used the same place in Birmingham for the regulator pack, very quick and about a tenner posted.
Worth a check when the alternator is off is what I found was that the the (springy) contact on the inside of the alternator was slightly corroded and that the corresponding contact point on the regulator pack was totally rusted , brushes were low so a new one was needed anyway. just to keep things better with the new one I put some copper grease on all the contacts.
May be more a polo problem as they get plenty of damp salty spray with the alternator tucked away behind the front valance.
I must be missing something - I'm going to have to go and have a look when I can, at my engine. I'm sure there isn't one at the back on mine. I have one at the front on the alternator - whats that belt called?
)