Possible alternator problem

[ExPassat]

Popped to the post office this morning and on setting off back, the alternator light started flashing. Then I felt the steering go stiff, and the power steering light come on. Then the radio went off, and it started to warn of a brake failure. All within about 400 yards of driving. I managed to nurse it to my favourite independent garage, luckly it was nearby. They say that the either the alternator has gone or the belt snapped / slipped, hopefully Ill get an update later today. Im thinking belt fail as it happened so suddenly?

 

Im on 105000 miles. It seems a bit early for either frankly.

Edited 11 January, 2016 by ExPassat

[ExPassat]

Garage called - belts are all fine, but the alternator is only giving out 7 volts when it should be 14. They say £300 to replace, does that should right?

[Jevpls]

An alternator can die quickly. At least I've experienced that with an Audi. At first it started flashing ABS and ESP warnings and after some while I stopped to see if nothing is wrong with the brake system. Then I wasn't able to start the car at all. After towing to the garage they found out that alternator had died. Everything happened in a ~80-100 km road section. Everything was fine before that.

 

According to 105000 miles - I had my cambelt changed at ~155k km and service guy suggested to change the alternator belt as well because it was in a bad shape.

[ExPassat]

Interesting. At least its nothing catastrophic. Luckily I keep a savings account for car maintenance stuff. Guess how much is in it - £300!

[Jevpls]

Either alternator is dead itself or brushes need to be replaced. I guess that in the second case everything shouldn't have happened that fast (I'm not 100% sure about that).

But if it's about brushes then it should be much cheaper (note: in this case everything depends on the honesty of service guys).

[ExPassat]

Thanks, but given the age and mileage of the car I'd rather replace the whole alternator while ive got the money!

[silver1011]

Brand new alternators are around £200, reconditioned alternators can be had for around £100.

 

an hour or so removing and fitting the new one gets you to £300 assuming the part is brand new.

 

I too would advise changing the auxiliary belt too, it needs to come off to change the alternator and costs only a few pounds more.

[ExPassat]

Ok, apparently they've changed the alternator and the battery too as it failed test after charging. Ill find out more after I pick it up wednesday.

[silver1011]

Hmm, I hope it wasn't just the battery to start with!

[meta55b]

I would be asking for the old alternator to be re-fitted once a new battery is on, just to be doubly sure.

[donmcknz]

The alternator on my 2006 Octavia 1.9 gave up the ghost at 43,500 miles and six years old .

I had driven 200 miles across to the West Coast of Scotland ( near Skye ) the previous evening in the rain (lights ,wipers, heater in use ) with the caravan.

Next morning when I set off to the shops the engine sounded as if the alternator belt was noisy but when it didn’t quieten down  after half a mile I lifted the bonnet to check and was confronted by the smell of hot insulation and the alternator roasting hot. Needless to say no Valeo alternators were available locally so I removed the fan belt (to stop the alternator from overheating) , charged up the battery on the caravan charger and set off for home . As it was a sunny day all the electricals were switched off and I tried to minimise application of brakes (two sets of brake lights !) although the electric power steering probably used quite a lot of power.

After 100 miles I swapped the battery with the one from the caravan and this took me to within half a mile of home before the dashboard lit up like a chistmas tree accompanied by a variety of bleeps and buzzers. I just managed to turn into the village and coasted the last few yards  to my house with the engine dead.

A visit to the local car breaker at Aberdeen provided a replacement for £72 and this is still ok 3+ yrs later .

ExPassat , your £ 300 seems a bit steep to an Aberdonian like me but I hope your problem has been solved

[ExPassat]

Im picking it up this morning as I got back late last night. I know it sounds a bit steep but Id rather not take any chances. I know I can trust these guys as they have such great reputation locally they are always busy but they make an extra effort for me because I need to be on the road. Plus theyve done tyre changes, diagnostics etc for me for free before now.

 

Briskodian, thanks for your story, It sounds like 6 years is about normal then as thats what my car is coming up on!

[sdenny]

The alternator on my 2006 Octavia 1.9 gave up the ghost at 43,500 miles and six years old .

I had driven 200 miles across to the West Coast of Scotland ( near Skye ) the previous evening in the rain (lights ,wipers, heater in use ) with the caravan.

Next morning when I set off to the shops the engine sounded as if the alternator belt was noisy but when it didn’t quieten down  after half a mile I lifted the bonnet to check and was confronted by the smell of hot insulation and the alternator roasting hot. Needless to say no Valeo alternators were available locally so I removed the fan belt (to stop the alternator from overheating) , charged up the battery on the caravan charger and set off for home . As it was a sunny day all the electricals were switched off and I tried to minimise application of brakes (two sets of brake lights !) although the electric power steering probably used quite a lot of power.

After 100 miles I swapped the battery with the one from the caravan and this took me to within half a mile of home before the dashboard lit up like a chistmas tree accompanied by a variety of bleeps and buzzers. I just managed to turn into the village and coasted the last few yards  to my house with the engine dead.

A visit to the local car breaker at Aberdeen provided a replacement for £72 and this is still ok 3+ yrs later .

ExPassat , your £ 300 seems a bit steep to an Aberdonian like me but I hope your problem has been solved

 

Good effort! :clap:

 

I reckon you'd have got home if you'd taken the brake bulbs out of the car :p

[ExPassat]

All works a treat, no problems. Id even go as far as to say the electrics seem a little better - the heater and air con come up to speed much quicker unless i'm mistaken. They even fixed the drivers door seal for free, which was falling off and I was going to buy a part for. All in all Im happy. :clap: