my new headache battery/Alternator

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Xantia 521
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my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Xantia 521 »

Hi lads hope your all staying safe and well.
I was, with the aid of a local hero (I wont name him....but he knows who he is)able to get back to driving.

Now lets dive into my latest headache.


Citroen xantia: 2.0 hdi 2001 Forte (90bhp) 5d.
After around 5 minutes of driving....the red battery dashboard warning icon comes ON.
At 3000 rpm it (the warning icon) goes out.
At all garages that sell batteries have tested the battery did tests....'Alls more or less fine'
At a 1 garage they also did a alternator check......'' it (the alternator) is faulty''. I was told.

Q, why would warning battery icon go out @ 3000 rev's?
Q, Is replacing the alternator, something that a local garge be able to remove & replace?.....I ask because on posts contained here....feel its rather tricky to do/ due to lack of space etc.

Q, what is the logical routine/order of where to start simplist 1st?

I also wonder is there a garage that should be able to do the job I.e trust regaurding replacing Alternator.....I live at Melton Mowbray.

Any help/advice would be “Much appreciated”
Cheers Lads Steve
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Steve Walsh
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Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Steve Walsh »

Probably slip rings, and or Brushes worn out. Recently replaced a set on a 16hdi
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Xantia 521
Posts: 26
Joined: 29 Apr 2021, 23:04
Location: Leicestershire,Melton Mowbray
My Cars: Citroen Xantia Forte 90bhp
Citroen Xantia 2.0i SX
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Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Xantia 521 »

Hi Steve, So what/why did you go into your the Alternator?
no rush for reply....but when you get round to it (the reply)
Cheers mate
Dear Board

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Steve Walsh
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Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Steve Walsh »

It was a mates, It stopped charging unless you increased RPM.
Slip ring were worn through and brushes worn down to about 5mm. He ordered a rebuild kit off internet and I rebuilt it with new bearings, slip rings and brushes
Thanx to Marc and all the admins & knowledgeable people that make this the best forum on the interweb. =D> =D> =D>
Xantia 521
Posts: 26
Joined: 29 Apr 2021, 23:04
Location: Leicestershire,Melton Mowbray
My Cars: Citroen Xantia Forte 90bhp
Citroen Xantia 2.0i SX
x 1

Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Xantia 521 »

Thanx Steve, All help is good.....my Alturnator is the one with a gap in the middle.....as pointed out at the begining of clip.
even so this clip helps just to get an idea of what can be done....I guess this is why there is mostly reconditioned up for sale.
The rebuild kit for mine could be out there somewhere.
Good lad !!
Steve
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Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Gregor »

Or you can just buy a new one for cca. 110 €. :)
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Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Gibbo2286 »

I had one of those that was giving mixed signals it turned out to be the alternator adjuster mechanism broken and letting the belt slip at low revs but charging with a bit of welly.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
Xantia 521
Posts: 26
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Location: Leicestershire,Melton Mowbray
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Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Xantia 521 »

Thank you Gibbo....
if you get time would let me know how you became aware of slipping belt.
Cheers mate Steve
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Gibbo2286
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Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Gibbo2286 »

I bought the car to loan to my niece and her husband visiting from Australia, only found the problem the day before they came to collect it, had to search for why then fix it.
Once fixed they did 5,000 miles in six weeks all around the UK then I sold it on.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
Xantia 521
Posts: 26
Joined: 29 Apr 2021, 23:04
Location: Leicestershire,Melton Mowbray
My Cars: Citroen Xantia Forte 90bhp
Citroen Xantia 2.0i SX
x 1

Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Xantia 521 »

So the battery icon light came on? or was/would you be able to see/hear belt slipping?
did you use a repair kit? or was you able to fix it on you bench?
Would a near end of life battery light up the icon??........I have had the car stood still for around 4 months up intill around mid August,(then my knight in a silver estate came round the corner) and before that short runs
in you own time mate, or when you get round to it.
Thanks for your help it really is appreciated

Cheers Gibbo
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Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by RichardW »

It's unlikely the belt is slipping - if it was it would squeal and you would be having suspension trouble. It presumably has AC so there will be a spring tensioner. Most likely the alternator is worn out. Getting it out as not as hard as it first looks, here's my info about doing it (11 years ago it seems!!)

Disconnect the battery

Remove:

Engine upper and lower covers
Intercooler pipe (not on a 90)
Oil filter
Ecu and box
OSF wing liner

There's a wiring harness in a plastic tray across the front of the engine, undo a bolt at either end and ease it upwards (noting that it has a pin that goes into the alternator bracket) - about an inch and it will sit on the fuel filter drain plug.

You need to get the aux belt off now - the spring tensioner is 15mm - which happens to be the size of a push bike pedal spanner - which are nice and thin by design 8-) . With the ECU box out of the way, I was able to get this on the tensioner and turn it enough to get a pin (4mm) in the second hole in the bracket, which leaves enough room to get the aux belt off.

Remove the wires from the alternator and cut away the cable tie holding them to the bracket (a bit of a challenge....!). Now you can remove the four (!) mounting bolts.

Re-set the wiring harness to roughly its original position and there is *just* enough room to wiggle the alternator out past the PAS pipe and top hose (which needs a bit of a squish)- lift the alt over the PAS pipe first before going across and then out to the right of the top hose, rather than trying to squeeze it between the rad and the pipe.. Note that the 2 inboard bolts have a collar and taper fitting in the bracket which may be loose - recover the bits if so.
Richard W
Xantia 521
Posts: 26
Joined: 29 Apr 2021, 23:04
Location: Leicestershire,Melton Mowbray
My Cars: Citroen Xantia Forte 90bhp
Citroen Xantia 2.0i SX
x 1

Re: my new headache battery/Alternator

Post by Xantia 521 »

Sorry for delay Richard.

You have put alot of effort in on this.....I was hoping it was not the alternator....wishful hopeing.

At least now I have it printed out so more options.

Look a big thank you Richard and Gibbo...it means lot
Stay safe everyone
Goods lads here
cheers Steve
Dear Board

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.

Groucho Marx
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