Battery charging issue

[davoxx]

So my xantia woes start again ... battery not charging >:(

The battery light came on, and goes off if I rev the engine high enough, the lights goes out. The battery is not charging and I can tell you the car lasts 30 mins without the battery being charged.
I'm told it had the same issue a month ago and it went away, so I'm thinking a lose wire, but which one?

So before I start investigating, any ideas guys?

[BX]

Possibly the alternator brushes.

[davoxx]

I disconnected the thin green wire at the alternator, and the battery light went off, but the alternator was still not making any charge.
So i'm guessing the green wire is ok?
Should i try hooking up the green wire terminal with the +12v at the battery to see if this energises the alternator?

I'm stuck away from home, so don't have a multimeter, so that sucks.

[Xantidote]

Possibly the alternator brushes.

My first thoughts, like BX has suggested, is the alternator. Brushes may be a bit worn, or are sticking. Or maybe one or more diodes in the rectifier bit have failed.

How old is the alternator? Last year my alternator (@ 190k) did exactly as yours, ignition light on at low revs, but going out when revved. Drove it home the 35 miles before stripping. Found one of the slip rings to be so worn down that there was only metal for approx 2/3rds of it's circumference.

Where are you, when you say you are away from home. If in UK, maybe a Forum member not too far away?

[davoxx]

I'm up in derry, if there is some one close, that would be like winning the lotto. car is a 99 activa with 111k on the clock.

1, the battery light came on and battery stopped charging, reving made the battery light disappear.
2, sudden acceleration seemed to fix it, belt was changed (not by me)
3, the reversing light are not working
4, the battery light comes on flickery and dim, reving turns it off.

So currently, battery light is on, kinda flickering, reving turns it off.
Disconnecting the green wire to alternator turns off the battery light but the alternator is not charging.

Off to buy a multimeter now, I just need to get the car charging so I can drive it back to dublin, then I can change the alternator.

[davoxx]

got the multimeter, green wire at alternator is at 3v when connected to alternator, 11v when it is not. (battery at 12.8v)

I sprayed contact cleaner at the alternator, and it worked for a bit, then after car restart it stopped working.

Thinking the green wire is the issue, now to trace it back to see where the fault is.

[davoxx]

What is the round plastic with metal contacts under the dash on the passenger side of the centre console.?

I can hear a fizzing sound from that area when turning the ignition on.

[Stewart(oily)]

That object under the passenger footwell is the heater blower, the symptoms you describe sound about right for worn brushes in the alternator.

[davoxx]

That object under the passenger footwell is the heater blower, the symptoms you describe sound about right for worn brushes in the alternator.

Yeah i'm reassigned to the fact it needs an alternator, now to get her home to fit one ...

[BX]

Maybe not a replacement alternator. Look up Gold Lion auto electrics on ebay. They will have the parts you need. Marcin also has posted several how to videos. If you need advice or the part you need is not listed their phone number is in the contact details. They are based in Castlebar so most things will be delivered next day.

[davoxx]

Thanks BX, but seems like I am cursed once I leave Dublin ...

As i must have left a socket or something at the passenger catch for the bonnet last night when i closed it, because now it won't open this morning. I can see a slight bulge at the catch, which I guess is the socket.

i'm thinking i'll have to bend the bonnet to get it freed. brilliant!!

[Xantidote]

Well, good luck in sorting both the bonnet and the alternator. Hope you make uneventful trip back to Dublin

[Peter.N.]

Your voltmeter should be reading about 14.4 volts if the alternator is OK. Replacements are not to expensive on ebay but for the length of time they last you won't be taking to much of a gamble getting a secondhand one.

Peter

[davoxx]

Yeah getting a second hand one, or even the brushes/regulator kit, does seem better than a cheapo one from ebay.

besides i need a new bonnet, mine now has a 'speed hole' added so i could open it.