c5 alternator problem ?

[kevino]

Hello everybody i have a c5 2002 hdi 110 saloon. last night when i returned home i sat with the car idling and noticed that the needle which indicates something to do with the battery on the dashboard was pointing all the way to the left. I also noticed that there is an odd noice coming from the engine bay which is like a racing noise, i have noticed this with my other cars in the past when the brushes on the alternator wear out. does this sound familiar to anybody or is there a different explenation to all of this?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

[SaabC5]

If the alternator/battery charge gauge is showing zero it does indeed sound like a faulty alternator. My gauge will generally go to half way on starting and slowly creep up to three quarters.

[kevino]

thanks for that SAABC5, i thought as much my needle usually sits just above the halfway point usually. I am contacting a guy in Liverpool tomorrow who can possibly change the brushes, and give it a quick service. GB Electrics in Liverpool.

[ej2095]

had to change mine in aug as the thing with the belt came off the spindle.

it was mashed good lol

sounded like a trickleing sound for about a month before

[SaabC5]

If you have no luck with GB electrics in Liverpool i'd recommend West Lancs Auto Electrics, they do reconditioned starters & alternators at a cracking price and they look brand new.
http://www.westlancsautoelectrics.com/

[kevino]

cheers SaabC5, I took it to commercial street garage in Blackpool who put a recon on it with a two year guarantee. £235.00 all in, ouch, just before christmas as well. What did amaze me was that i charged the battery before setting off from merseyside and the car got to Blackpool no problem. Amazing.