The other day I noticed my battery warning light flicker for a few seconds then go away.   It was cold, and within about 30seconds into my drive to work.     Not noticed it do it again since then.   No other issues with the car - power steering is fine,  and so are all the electrics.

 

 

Also,  I've just checked,  ignition on,  engine OFF,   all the dash warning lights light up - eg, airbag,  brakes, etc etc.  BUT NO BATTERY LIGHT?

I see can it briefly flick up for a split second, but it doesn't stay on.  (remember engine off here).

 

Is this normal?

 

 

 

I just whipped off the engine cover,   and had a glance at the alternator,  and there's a blue wire and (another wire) going into a block connecter to the top of the alternator.    The wiring tension is very tight,   but the connection looks ok,  the wires seem tight to the block.

I read that this sometimes snaps?

 

 

Anyways,  back to the problem,  why does my battery light not light up on the dash (With engine off)?

 

Many thanks!

 

 

Yep typically it's the load sensor wire on the alternator that breaks

Yep typically it's the load sensor wire on the alternator that breaks

 

 

Could u elaborate?

 

Should the battery light stay on with the engine off/ignition on?      If the load sensor wire snaps,   how would I know?

Yes the battery light should stay on. If you get it scanned with vcds there should be an implausible signal from the alternator.

Not sure where to look to find the broken wire though sorry. Mine got fixed at unit 18 while I had some other work done

Following on from the above post -

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=209472

Link above shows the typical reappear for the fault your experiencing.

Thanks guys,

 

Followed that seat cupra how to post.

 

Spot on.     The blue wire at the gearbox mount had almost snapped off at the connector.    Fortunatly I had a VW oem repair wire which was the perfect part for the snapped connector.  

 

I think Skoda made the loom a bit too short,   not much give in the wiring from what I could see,   suprized it's managed to last this long to be honest!

 

 

Fixed it now,  and the battery light stays on when ignition on/engine off.

 

funny it's been broken like this for a very long time...  what damage could I have done using the car so long like this?

funny it's been broken like this for a very long time...  what damage could I have done using the car so long like this?

 

Probably no damage at all, it's a very common problem. If the alternator is charging the battery then you're all good

I had what I thought was a failed alternator at 137,000 miles , replaced alternator , charged the battery fully but then a couple of days later the battery died again . I then remembered that my ignition light ( battery warning ) had illuminated very briefly twice with an audible warning signal but then went out .

 

It was a couple of days later that the battery went flat and the AA man said it was the Alternator . Anyway after new alternator and 2 nd flat battery I then came here to the forum and found this thread I then  investigated the load signal wire and low and behold it was broken .

 

I have repaired it and the ignition light is back on and all seems normal with the battery charging , what I don't understand is how this tiny thin little wire can stop the battery charging ? Can any one shed any light on this ?

 

This forum is brilliant and has saved me money a few times , so many thanks for all the really helpful posts .

Hi I’ve got a fabia mk1 with no battery light on dash. I’ve done a continuity test from alternator 2 pin  plug  to pin 9 on plug under dash and all ok ( no broken cable easy fix unfortunately) anybody got any idea ?? 

Does your meter have a dc current measuring range?

If so, disconnect the plug at the alternator, and connect the pin that the blue wire goes to to chassis earth, through the meter set to - say - 200mA dc range (with leads in appropriate holes).

Ignition needs to be on, and then you should see approx 50mA on the meter.

 

 

Thankyou I will try that tomorrow and if I don’t see that ? And if I do see that ? 

If you don't see that, the problem is likely to be corroded wire or connections somewhere.

 

 If you do see it, possibly an alternator voltage regulator or brush problem. 

 

Get an assistant to switch on ignition for you and see if the battery light appears while you're measuring the current. 

Ok will try tomorrow and get back to you. 

Ok will try tomorrow and get back to you. 

Afternoon so I’ve done those test I get 53ma on blue cable and yes the battery light comes on when I do the test. So is that pointing to alternator ? 

I think so, yes.

What engine does your Fabia have?  I think on one or two types there is room to get the voltage regulator/brushpack off with it in situ, to check brush length.

I have taken them off and they are around 30 mm long. It’s the 1.4 mpi 8valve 

Well that should be plenty! (Unless you meant 3mm?)

Presumably you started looking into this because the battery wasn't charging? Or...?

 

Edited 28 June, 20232 yr by Breezy_Pete

Yes no battery light and not charging. Yes I mean 30 mm. Just deciding whether to replace voltage regulator only or buy a whole new alternator. 

Often the blue wire snaps in the harness when it goes from the gearbox to the body.

Yeah checked all that thanks all good