Alternator or Battery

**Jamie** · 21st December 2011, 08:37

Hi all, been absent for a while.... New baby, new house etc.

Gonna jump straight back in with a question. On my way to work this morning the battery light came on on the dash. Then when I pulled into the car park at work the power steering stopped working and the EML came on and the car wouldnt restart (just clicked like the battery was dead). I left it 10 minutes and tried again and it starts fine, just illuminates the EML prior to starting.

So, my question is, is the battery goosed and needing to be replaced, or is the alternator the problem?!?

Apologies if this is in the wrong section Mods. Posting this from my phone!!

**Jamie** · 21st December 2011, 08:50

Oops. Should probably say: 2006 z19dth.

**Ian-Highlander** · 21st December 2011, 08:51

Potentially both, but more likely the alternator's died and the battery needs a good charge.

**byebyeitsagsi** · 21st December 2011, 08:52

It's the alternator what will happen soon is the battery will drain and the car won't start. You will notice everything electrical will fail again before this happens.

**Jamie** · 21st December 2011, 09:47

RAC just arrived. It is the alternator. B*******!!!

On the plus side they will fit a new one for me, free labour, for a touch under £300. Seems like a good price to save me spannering, it looks like a right pig to try and do.

**Jonsey** · 21st December 2011, 09:55

£300....... buy one yourself and get your hands dirty.

**dh.dti** · 21st December 2011, 09:56

£300 is about what i paid last year for mine fitting

**Mads** · 21st December 2011, 09:59

I brought mine from eurocar parts with 25% discount code for £120 last week and fitted it myself, its easy to do and there is a great how2 on here. i have the z19dth engine too

**Jamie** · 21st December 2011, 10:00

I did the alternator on my Bro's Focus a few weeks ago and my mates Hyundai Trajet just after that and I still have the wounds... I'm very busy with work and Baby now, so having someone do it for me seems like a really good idea!

**Dre** · 21st December 2011, 21:28

its not a hard job to do i swapped mine out about 7 weeks ago when it failed i also have the 150 , i found it easier to unclip the fuel lines to the filter and gently push them towards the bulk head helped when bringing the alternator up when removing it you will have to jiggle it a little bit to get it clear , its 3 bolts holding it and and theres 3 wires on the back of the unit you need to take off before removal

hth