The battery light flashed after start up today blinking every 2 seconds, I restarted the engine and its okay now its not blinking?

I have got the battery tested as a precaution and the battery place have said the batttery is fine 12v and its holiding charge.

The car starts up first attempt.

Could it be a hickup or is it some kind of fault?

A battery light usualy indicates no charge faulty alternator.

The car has only done 65000 miles being 6 years old it shouldnt really happen.

Please could any of you advise any further?

Thanks

It could be the first signs of the blue load wire from the alternator breaking, usually at the plug on the front of the gearbox. When they break, you don't get a battery light and the battery does not charge sufficiently, resulting in power steering issues and control units logging faults. It can be fixed by hard wiring it across the connector.

This seems most like what I had this morning..

I drove to work with no issues, haven't had any other issues either.. at all, so no clues.

Wanted to check how long the trip had taken me as it's a new route, so turned off once parked and then almost immediately turned the key back round to get the computer back.

While looking at the computer the battery / alternator light seemed to get it's nickers in a twist.. it didn't flash so much as be very indecisive as to if it wanted to be on, off or flashing..

After a few seconds it settled on the normal light on with out flashing and everything seemed normal again..

Like I say, no evidence of anything else being wrong at all.. starting fine, electricals all seem as strong as they should and it starts with out complaining.

Did I just catch it so quick after the engine going off that there was residual charge it wasn't expecting? Or do ya think I've got a wire about to give out?

Rob. Taa!

I havent had the battery light on since I reported it on here last, neither did I do anything to fix it but the obvious checks I carried out:

The cable to the battery terminals +/- are on secure

Lift engine cover off to access the alternator you will see twin wires leading to the alternator, with care push the thin wire into the connector and use some PVC tape to wrap around the connector and wire, this should prevent it from coming out of the connector because the wire looks stretched it appears it could break from the connector at anytime (I did this just a pre-caution)

Alternator belt may have come loose with the engine turned off check the belt is not slack it should have no slack, inspect the belt for cracks or debris may have bit of oil/water causing it to slip triggering the battery light to display

Get the battery tested at a free test centre most battery places will do it for free

Only then did I RIP - cant be bothered with breaking down

Thanks Bud!

I'll be sure to go through the same check list.. If the forum still had a thanks button I'd a pressed it!

I miss the thanks button :(

Fordfan, do I need to get under the car to check the connection on the gearbox cuz from the top the cables just kinda vanish down and under?

I've done all the other checks but not found the fault and the light's becoming more elusive by the day and only flashes for a split second before going out, but charge seems to be fine?

Anyone any more ideas what this could be before I give in and head down the vag specialist for a check?

Hello,

What happen with this in the end, only asking as it apears i have the same problem. Thanks

I too have this issue. I got the car up on axle stands and checked out this blue and brown wire. They both seem fine to me. Checked continuity with my tester too. It's possible there's a break in the cable that makes and breaks i suppose.

I now have the battery light on all the time and my airbag light too. Alternator appears to be giving an output though.

I hate electrical problems.

A sign that it is the broken load signal wire is that you have no battery light showing with ignition on and engine not running.

Fixed mine a few weeks ago as I had this problem and an error code about alternator load signal.

This thread helped me fix my issue, even though the symptoms weren't quite the same as the usual blue wire problem. So I thought it worth adding what I found.

 

My symptom was the charge warning light flashing to start with, then being on permanently, with the engine running. It was coming on fine and staying on, as it should, with the engine not running. When it first started to happen, it seemed to flicker as we changed gear, so the blue wire and the gearbox seemed the favourite for the problem. However unlike most have described, the alternator was charging fine (14.2v).

 

When I got underneath, the wire wasn't broken, but the insulation had worn enough for the copper inside to make contact with the metal mounting bracket that eventually cuts right through the wire and / or the brown one for load signal. Since the alternator puts the light on by grounding the blue wire, the body controller (not sure what its officially called) thought the short to ground was the 'not charging' signal. 

 

Now all resolved and car is happy again, as am I.