I have a skoda superb tdi 130 bhp, 55 plate elegance model.

Today for a brief second the alternator workshop warning light came on, the weather was 27 degrees.

It came off and I drove home (about 2 miles). I put the lights on and the beams on and left the car on the drive way and car seemed to be fine.

I went round the block with lights on and the beams on, no problem.

No strange sounds, everything seems fine and starts ok.

What can it be, do I take it in the garage or ignore it!

Please advise

After my car did the same; alternator light came on for a brief second, it started to become worse. Over time the coal inside the alternator becomes worn out. So in February 2012 i got a new alternator after it failed completely. It was the original that came together with the car. It managed 212500 miles before it failed.

I think alternator gone, chirpy sound occasionally and battery light comes on.

Shall I buy a new alternator or reconditioned. Reconditioned is 100 quid and a new one is 175, how r reconditioned alternators like?

reconditioned will do about 70K miles while a new will do considerably more.

Check the alternator pulley before you condemn the machine - they either seize solid or fail to drive intermittently.

rotodiesel.

I have an intermittent fault, took it to the garage and everything working fine.

I have been advised to let it run until it dies. I was hoping to have it fixed. So far the warning light has come on twice, doing about 70 miles a day and hoping its going to die soon so I can have piece of mind!

Have a look in your local Yellow/Thompson pages for an auto electrical company and give them a ring.

I had a Renault 25 with over 250000 on and when my alternator played up they put a new set of brushes and checked the bearings for less money than a new or even re-con one.

Finally, car started making noise when I turned the steering. Mechanic has said it is the drive belt tensioner pulley, therefore it's getting replaced tomorrow.

How much am I looking for the part, garage is saying about 120 quid + labour, going to get a big bill!

Sorry, its the alternator tensioner pulley which is gone

Replaced alternator tensioner pulley

Alternator clutch pulley

New rear pads

Got a whopping bill for £285

Had the same issue last year on mine.

I don't think it was that expensive though.