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Thread: Battery or Alternator (or both!) knackered?

  1. #1
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    Vehicle : Vectra-C

    Trim : sxi

    Engine : 1.9 CDTI

    Year : 2005

    Default Battery or Alternator (or both!) knackered?

    Hi all, hopiong someone can help!

    55 Plate, Pre-face/full CAN 1.9CDTI [120]

    Car broke down on Sunday (luckily only 2.5 miles from home after driving 50 miles with an 8-week old in the car!). Just before breakdown car started flashing up TC & ABS lights, stereo kept restarting and stopped in traffic car idled at 1000rpm - a tad high! I knew something was up, pulled into petrol station (needed diesel anyway), then the car wouldn't start - Starter not turning, just a clicking noise.

    Phoned AA (and a neighbour who picked up wife and son) who had a look and said it was the alternator. Battery was at 11.2v! so he gave the battery a boost from his van, car started fine and he followed me home. AA said no output was showing from Alternator, and putting the fans on while engine was running drew current from the battery.

    Thing is I have not had the alternator light on the dash, so can the alternator stop charging WITHOUT showing the warning light?
    Also, the battery is 5 years old (never changed from new), and no longer has a green dot (although that could be the depleted charge level).

    Gonna have a go at replacing the alternator myself (if the consensus is that is the problem) and will place battery on charge. Does anyone know the alternator rating on the 1.9 [120]? rough price? will ring round later to get some prices anyway...

    TIA

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    I'm not sure if there is a warning light for the alternator.

    Take a look in the manual at the dashboard section and see if it states there that there is one.

    HTH

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    I had this happen but it was the battery that died first. Scorching hot day in the summer, engine wouldnt turn over - just a clicking sound, the breakdown guy said it was because I was using the Air Con - Doh!!! I bought a new battery and 3 weeks later the alternator conked out. i did get a warning light come up. Pity it took 5 days to get a replacement alternator.

    Jim

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    Year : 2005

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    Quote Originally Posted by RichyA View Post
    I'm not sure if there is a warning light for the alternator.

    Take a look in the manual at the dashboard section and see if it states there that there is one.

    HTH
    Yep - The red battery light refers to the vehicle charging system.

    Quote Originally Posted by Water-rat View Post
    I had this happen but it was the battery that died first. Scorching hot day in the summer, engine wouldnt turn over - just a clicking sound, the breakdown guy said it was because I was using the Air Con - Doh!!! I bought a new battery and 3 weeks later the alternator conked out. i did get a warning light come up. Pity it took 5 days to get a replacement alternator.

    Jim
    Thanks, I may just get both replaced, not sure how good the battery will be after dipping to 11.2v!

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    Regular Member Das's Avatar
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    Vehicle : Honda Civic

    Trim : ES with Honda Image and City Packs

    Engine : 1.8 iVtec

    Year : 2009

    Mileage : 85000

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    Sounds like the Alternator to me. If it was the battery not holding charge the car would still run because the charge would just go round the electrical system but wouldn't get stored in the battery.
    The lack of a green light could just be because the battery is struggling because of lack of charge. I had this issue one day where Id spend all day with the doors open and stereo on while cleaning the car, had to get a jump start from a neighbour, the green light failed to reappear for about 3 days. If your thinking about changing the battery check with your local dealer, I just bought a big 70amp VX battery from a VX dealer for £58.75.

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    Thanks, Just been on to Vx for the part (100A Alternator) and been quoted by £223+VAT ! or £355 supply and fit...

    Time to make a few more calls...

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    Regular Member Das's Avatar
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    Year : 2009

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    Reconditioned alternator any good ?

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-VECTR...item414f052146


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    Thanks guys, just been looking at these myself especially this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Vectr...8#ht_500wt_949


    OK - bit the bullet and ordered the link above from Ebay, less than half the price of Vxl! Will let you know how I get on.
    Last edited by LJ sxi-nav; 26th October 2010 at 15:38.

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    Quote Originally Posted by LJ sxi-nav View Post
    Thanks, Just been on to Vx for the part (100A Alternator) and been quoted by £223+VAT ! or £355 supply and fit...

    Time to make a few more calls...
    of course the Vxl quote of 100A should (I beleive) be 105A

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