Alternator/Battery Dash Warning Light

[cavester]

Hi Guy's,

Had my car 3 years and not a single problem, warrenty run out last month and guess what... right light illuminated on the dash (the one with a symbol of a battery). I looked in the handbook and it says the alternator. I have checked the battery and the hole is green so says it's ok. The car runs and starts fine with no problems.

Can anyone suggest what I do to check if the alternator is at fault?

P.S. if I turn the ignition off and start it again the light goes out, however after a few minutes (5) it coems back on.

Thanks,

Lee.

[Gsi3.2]

do you have access to a multimeter?...

if the alternator is okay then it will give out between 13.0 and 14.5volts

if the battery has 12 volts in it without the engine running..then the battery is fine, leave the meter on the battery and start the car.. it shouldn't drop down below 11 volts if the battery is in good health...then it should rise straight up to 13.00 volts..if the battery drops below 11 volts then the battery has one or more bad cells in it

time to get some numbers up..

[cavester]

ok, I will go to Halfrauds tomorrow and get a multimeter, thanks.

When I get some numbers I will post them up. Will this prove if A) the battery is ok or not and B) if the alternator is ok or not... or both?

Cheers,

L.

[Gsi3.2]

it will tell me both.....

[Gsi3.2]

oh, and if you pass the local vauxhall dealer on the way, drop in and ask if your CDTi is under the recall notice for the alternator problems they suffered for a while..if it is, then they will swap out the alternator FOC.

[cavester]

oh, and if you pass the local vauxhall dealer on the way, drop in and ask if your CDTi is under the recall notice for the alternator problems they suffered for a while..if it is, then they will swap out the alternator FOC.

I could pop in to the dealers tomorrow and ask, cheers for the heads up. What was the problem with the alternators? Mine is a May 04 CDTI if that helps.

Anyone got a recall notice sheet?

L.

[Gsi3.2]

i haven't, but VX will know if your's is under the recall chassis range..

[cavester]

Cool thanks mate. Just found this post... http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19127

... and checked my VIN, good news so far, it is in range. I will pop to VX tomorrow and ask them to check.

You may have saved me a few quid!

Cheers,

Lee.

[Gsi3.2]

hey.. you may get out of it for nothing.... worth a gamble..

[plasma]

Was just off to get me Recall sheet, but noticed someone posted the link to the one i did before