On Saturday my battery light started flickering on and off whilst driving.

It flickered slightly when sitting at some lights, then intermittently flickered on and off for the next 20km or so until we got home.

It hasn't done it before or since.

I'm taking the train to work so the car is used every day for a trip of maybe 10km each evening to collect SWMBO from work.

Is it possible this isn't enough to charge the battery properly? Or maybe the battery's wearing out - the car is 4 years old next week.

I've never checked - are Octy batteries the sealed for life type?

Sounds like a bad connection. Battery or charging light should not come on with engine running. Take a peek at your altenator leads and under your battery cover for loose or corroded connections. Check your altenator drive belt tension they can slip under load after a while.

Battery leads are securely attached.

Silly question - where's the alternator?

Is this it?

The alternator is the thing you can see between the throttle body and the blue hose in the above photo.

I thought it was but I wasn't 100% sure Cheers.

Is it driven by its own belt?

Found this!

I would say its the alternator and not the battery as a discharged battery doesn,t really show up on the dash warning.It could be the brushes in the Altrntr going.Hope this helps.

I hope it isn't :( How extortionate would a new alternator be?

IIRC they are not cheap:thumbdwn:

Hmm, according to Phil's post last year 110 quid. Could be worse I guess!!

One thing after another! Will it ever end? - BRISKODA - The Skoda Forum and Community

Don,t know if fitting a recon unit is cheaper for you but £110 don,t really sound too bad TBH.

Don,t know if fitting a recon unit is cheaper for you but £110 don,t really sound too bad TBH.

also depends on the amperage of the alternator you have

higher the amperage the higher the price

ceri

Phil's is the same engine as mine. For 110 quid (NZ$270 ish to me) I'd rather get a new one I think.

Assuming it is the alternator!!

I guess I'll have to wait and see if it flickers again.