Hi all.
i need some help please, just spent a bootifull week in Norfolk in me van, BUT on the way up there i noticed the battery light coming on and going out, the light seemed to come on in traffic, but went out once i got motoring along, and then come on again when slowing down again, The old girl got me there and back ok but i now have to sort this problem out, i have a feeling it could be my Alternater, the fan belt seems ok not loose or anything but could this be anything else before i splash out on a new Alternater.
as you didnt give us any clue to what engine you have , and so what alternator, the best answer i can offer is check with a volt meter the output of the alternator, chances are you maybe able to just change the brush pack and regulator, which is a 10 min job.
i would go this route before going to the expense of changine the whole alternator, because even if it isnt the cure you will have a spare brushpack for when you need it.keep the old brushpack to put back on the old alternator when you have to give it in as a exchange.
dont buy a new one m8, just clean up the brush pack and go from there, if its still the same you can buy them for under a tenner. its not as hard as it sounds to clean it up, take it of and unscrew the brushes clean with emery/sand paper. get a volt meter on just to make sure it aint up and down, also flickering lights is a good sign of worn brushes, check ya door lights
mocki beat me to it lol, its an easy job tho, and may well save you a good few quid....
Hi Fellas, thanks for the quick replies, i will source a brushes pack and give that a try first, Oh and the engine is a
1.9 DG watercooled, i must remember to put this onto my posts, i am a silly a*** sometimes. cheers and thanks again for the replies
Hi
please forgive the hijack. i have same engine and would like to know where is best to source this 'brushpack' etc to service the alternator?
Thanks
FW
1.9 DG Bilbos 'Arragon' Hitop LPG'd by Gasure
1.9 TDi Golf Mk4 Estate
Member no 3288
ur not a silly a*s mate, i've done this a few times and you get grilled straight away when leaving the engine type off was a simple mistake. I'd presume it was 1.6D or 1.9 Petrol as this is the most common unless a conversion and would answer your general question as...... Yes this is likely an alternator fault, check your drivebelt for slack as it sounds to me that when your'e "motoring along" your engine is rotating the pulley on the alternator faster so this would make the light go out as the battery would be receiving more power thus causing the light to go out. When your stationary the pulley is spinning slower which means less output and less power to the battery hence the light coming on. Simple check is to start up put all your ancillaries on lghts, heater full pelt etc and if the light comes on then your alternator is not charging the battery adaquetly. You should have roughly 10mm of play in the drivebelt as a rule of thumb, if its slack loosen the pulley nut on the alternator and tighten the belt, this will cause it to rotate the alternator more efficiently thus giving the battery adaquate power.This situation would apply to all vehicles regardless of the engine type. Hope i've answered your question and if you need anymore help give us a shout. Jud.
have checked the fan belt and that does,nt seem to have to much play, but i got a mate to check it out with a meter, and he,s telling me its the alternator, so it looks like i will have to get another one or try and source brushes for it and then give it a try. But as someone else has already asked where do you find just Brushes from i have tried the tinternet but i be buggered if i can find where to get these from.
fairwynds wrote:Hi
please forgive the hijack. i have same engine and would like to know where is best to source this 'brushpack' etc to service the alternator?
Thanks
FW
You may also want to check your engine idle rpm isn't too low as this will also cause the battery charging light to flicker or come on due to the alternator not spinning quick enough to produce a good output.
Mark.
I'm Not A Complete Idiot... Some Bits Are Missing!
