Not been here for a while so a BIG hello to everyone!

Was on the way to work this morning and the battery warning light lit up and beeped then it went out:thumbdwn: ! about 50mins later it did the same. Any ideas? Getting it to a skoda garage is a right nightmare so any help would be appreciated! Any one with Vag-Com in warwickshire area will to plug me in!?

Cheers

Mas

Don't wanna state the obvious, but have you checked the health of the battery?

Chris

Hello again Chris!

How would one go about checking the battery - take a trip to halfords?

Stick a multimeter across the terminals when the engine is off - should be around 12V, then check it with the engine running and it should be around 14.5V

Chris

How old is the car/battery? They usually last 4-5 years so it could be that yours is on its way out.

Mine gave up the ghost after 6 years , however there was no warning via the dash light , it worked fine untill one morning then nowt at all.

Mine gave up the ghost after 6 years , however there was no warning via the dash light , it worked fine untill one morning then nowt at all.

I had this on a saxo VTR, apparently the newer style of battery doesn't fade anymore, it just stops one day when it's worn out... no warning! so I'd suggest the battery is not the (thread starters) problem, loose connection perhaps?

I'd like to point out that a knackered battery shouldnt bring up the battery light.

Its because the car isnt charging, not because the car has no charge.

What engine is it? If its a diesel I would suspect the DFM wire is broken in the alternator wiring just in front of the gearbox.

Its a TDI 1.9 (52 plate). I will go and have a look and see if there are any loose or broken wires.

cheers Lummox

I had this but my DFM wire seemed to be present and correct. New alternator and everything is fixed. I think it was

Another vote for the Alt, happened to me on my clio

Got a new battery fitted and it seems to be working fine at the mo, however theres no battery light when you put the ignition on?!

What is the DFM wire and where can i find it to check its health?!

Ive managed to get a volt reading off the alternetor and it seems to jump all over the place from 11 to 14. Shouldn't this read at a constant rate? and if so could this be the alternator regulator failing? Is any of this related to the DFM wire? Very confussed!

Sounds like fractured wires to the alternator to me... happened to us a while ago and according to the service manager who sorted us out is a common fault on VW group cars. The wires are hidden underneath the alternator under the under tray or something so are difficult to see but move and vibrate leading to them becoming brittle and eventually failing. My guess is that they are on thier way out.

Apparently it is an easy fix to splice in some new ones.

I think your discribing the DFM wire! Right time to get the car on my mate ramp and hve a little look see.

Yep, just in front of the gearbox there is a two pin connector in a bracket. One or both of the wires will be broken or corroded.

This is why the alternator/battery light doesnt come on and thus doesnt charge.

Hi All. My battery warning light (on my 2001 1.4 Elegance) came on today and stayed on. :thumbdwn:

From reading the posts so far, am I right in thinking that it is prob not a battery problem and more likely the alternator? It was my understanding that the light simply indicated whether the battery was receiving charge from the alternator?

Could it explain some of the loss of power assisted steering I have been getting recently whilst parking?

I just drove 3000 miles over the last few days and then last night it was frosty - perhaps it is a temporary problem?

Thanks for any advice - its nice to have an idea of what the problem is before going to the garage.

My battery light just came on today (04 Fabia VRS).

Car still seems to be working fine - starting fine - but the rear screen heater doesn't work!

The car is booked in for its MOT on Monday 10th, what should I do? Wait til it's in the garrage for MOT? Or will it die before then?

I tested it with a multimeter this morning ~12V with the engine off and on so it's not getting any charge.

I tested it with a multimeter this morning ~12V with the engine off and on so it's not getting any charge.

sounds like the alternator or the wires from it then.

Mine went the other week (1.4 petrol). I was going to use battery charger to fill the battery then risk it to the nearest garage but wasn't sure how far i'd get. I only just got car home previous night before the dash lit up like a christmas tree and powersteering went stiff. In the end I called a mobile mechanic. He took the old one and swapped it for a refurbed one. Charged me

Morning all,

I too have had probs with my power steering failing and the battery light coming on.

A week last Friday I had to get a jump start from the AA after the engine completely failed to statr shortly after power steering went stiff.

Guy took a reading of the battery voltage while the engine was ticking over and it was only a bit over 12v, which he saod was on the low side and suggested it could be the alternator.

Fabia drove okay that weekend but then engine wouild not start at all come Monday morning and hasn't doen since.

Had to get it jump started by a mate this morning in order to get it back to the dealer.

They suspect its the battery and are checking it out right now, but it has already had the battery replaced around this time last year while it was under warranty, as well as a new steering pump and sensor.

They've assured me that if the current problem is to do with any of the parts they fixed that time under warranty, they will fix them again for free as they are guaranteed for 2 years (albeit with a slightly cheeky

Now they've got it and you're paying a diagnostic might as well let them get on with it.

Once they come back to you, you could ask them about state of the wires /connection (and impress them with your knowledge) to the alternator, if they haven't checked them tell them to go back cos you want your

Cheers mate - mentioned the wires to them and they've checked them and concluded its the alternator itself thats the problem.

Luckily that part is still under guarantee even though the cars warranty has expired so at least I'll not pay thruogh the nose (although they don't have the part in so gotta go car-less till Saturday!)

Always got to have some knowledge so thanks to all who posted advice on this thread!