Battery Light

[YellowVan]

Just a quick one chaps,

I have read all the old post vis battery light so I have already checked all connections and cleaned them, also the battery is pretty new.

Basically the battery light came on,,,, so I ignored it for a while as one does,,,,, ok well I do,,,,, sometimes.

I cleaned all as mentioned above and charged the battery but still the light is on. But I did notice on one occasion that the light dimmed when I was driving at high revs. This has not happened again and now the light is on all the time.
I recon the battery is not getting a full charge as is sounding sluggish on turnover, but as it starts so easy is not proving a problem,, yet.

Am I right to check the brushes on the alternator?
I see voltage regulators for Paris Rhone alternators on ebay, is this more likely to be the fault with what I describe.

Cheers

 

[malcolm]

UK eBay is quite handy for new alternators at the moment. I picked one up for the Gordini for £60 delivered. Much cheaper than France where people actually want the things.

Sounds like the alternator is at fault if the battery isn't charging AND the light comes on. I'd not bother trying to fix it - they are fiddly things that work using black magic.

If you were getting maybe 14.5V across the battery terminals when the engine is running the alternator would be good and I'd check the plastic connector going into the back of the alternator and clean the connections and get out more to keep the battery in charge. Those connectors are the things that operate the warning light.

 

[YellowVan]

Cheers Malcolm for the reply.

As I type this I have the voltage regulator in front of me. The brushes look good and as I can get a replacement new part for about 15 quid I think I will give that a go first before splashing out on a new alternator. Will let you know what happens.

Thanks

 

[Paul Narramore]

And so did happen, YV? I have a similar 'thing'. I won't call it a 'problem'. When I bought my R4 last summer, I noticed that the alternator light flickers on and off but was assured that there was no fault with the alternator or battery, and that has been proved to be true. The battery holds it's charge, the alternator appears to be doing it's job, and the connections to the back of the alternator are clean and sound. The fuses are clean and sound. I have yet to check the alternator brushes. I've been advised to stick some black insulation tape over the warning light however one day there might actually be an alternator fault and I would ignore it.