Hi

I have a Skoda Fabia (tdi 190) 2002 which I am having some problems with. Over the past few years we replaced the car battery each year due to difficulties starting the car, mainly this happens occuring during cold spells or at holidays when the car is not being used.

In March this year the garage replaced the alternator with a new Bosch one and since then the problems seem to escalate.

The car failed to start after a few weeks of not being driven so AA came and revived the battery which was checked and seemed to be working fine. However a day later the same thing happened and the AA advised the alternator wasnt reaching the maximum output but was draining. The garage fitted a new alternator last month as still under year guarantee.

Today after having the car ticking over for 10mins the power steering failed and warning lights came on. All the same signals when the alterator is having problems. I stopped and restarted the car and after some revving the car and poewer steering is working again and no warning lights present.

My query is if the problem is not with the alternator, what else could be the matter. Should i take it to a specialist as the garage have so far been able to identify a reason why this is happening. The car has had 2 new Bosch alternators in 7mths but the problem is still there and the alterntaor isnt reaching the output it should. Any suggestions or ideas would be apreciated. Cheers P.

Hi and welcome aboard.