After many years of problem free motoring, my poor VRS has had to go to the garage...

 

It's been one of few trips in the 8 years I've owned it, but this one is a bit of a bugger as neither me nor my tame mechanic can work it out... Battery is being flattened in just over 2 days but nothing appears to be on (but ABS warning light is coming up after 10 mins of driving).

Couple of error codes that appear to be alternator related but I'm leaving it to the expert now...

 

Not bad really, the only issues I've had other than this have been a failed DMF and a dodgy relay for the fuel pump. Given it's age now (05) I've been really lucky!

Sounds like alternator not charging battery due to broken load sense wire. Front of gearbox area.

Yep, I thought that but no broken cables down there. Nor any loose cables at the alternator end...

How old is the battery?

As wino says

 

May not seem broken until you actually probe around the area and tease the wiring a bit. I didn't see any issues with mine either at first, but a gentle pull on the cable revealed it was compromised and needing fix (I think it was only one of the looms wires however, not both).

Can't quite recall exactly where it is but that is a thread on here somewhere confirming the location but if you get the sump guard off and take a look its not too difficult.

 

All you need to do is strip the wire back to get a decent connection, then solder on some extra cable to bridge the problem then seal the wiring against corrosion, which is a DIY fix.

 

Although mine was a bit of a DIY fix so don't really expect it to have lasted this long, several years now, but it has !

Maybe yours is the same. Certainly sounds like the exact symptoms, I had that delayed dash error too so I'd be amazed if it isn't

Battery is 2 years old so should still be ok.

 

I'll have a chat with the mechanic on Tuesday (he's not working until then, even as a mate!) and let him know the more specific location for the potential squify cable. 

 

Cheers one and all! Here's hoping it's back on the road soon!

My blue cable was broken on both sides of the connector! Does battery light come on?

No battery light, just the ABS one. Mechanic is going to this problem next - he's been changing all the hose clips today and sorting out the boost leak!

It'll be the load sensor blue cable if no battery light comes on, add about an inch of wire in, it's about an inch short! Nice easy fix