Xantia Battery light on dash

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Dommo
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Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by Dommo »

Hi guys

I was wondering, what controls the battery light on the dashboard? Mine seems to have stopped coming on since one of the bolts holding the alternator on fell out. I'm wondering whether there is a signal wire from the alternator which has been pulled out due to the amount the alternator moved?

Any suggestions? Cheers.
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by Xantianut »

Ay up!

If the battery light comes on, it's a sign that your alternator is not charging. There should be a single wire ending in a plastic connector (brown on mine IIRC) that plugs onto a spade clip on the rear of the alternator. If that's connected, give a rinse with contact cleaner then WD40 and reconnect. If that doesn't cure it, then check the tightness of the belt. If that's OK, then you need to check that the alternator is charging. Get a voltmeter and connect it across the battery with then engine shut down. It should give 13-16 volts, providing the battery's healthy. Then start the engine and re-test. If the voltage does not rise to 16-18 volts, then your alternator needs replacing.
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by Dommo »

How do!

The problem isn't the light coming on, the problem is that the light doesn't come on at all, even when the engine isn't running. The battery is charging as far as I can tell.

Am I right in thinking the brown spade connector you mentioned is what controls the light on the dash?

Thanks.
Last edited by Dommo on 08 Jan 2015, 14:38, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by RichardW »

There are 3 wires to the alt (although one of them is masquerading as the block :-D ). Big thick one that goes to the battery, the earth via the block, and thin one. The thin one 'controls' the light on the dash - sort of... When the alt is not charging the wire is earthed via the internals and the light comes on. This also provides some current to 'excite' the coils on the alternator. Once it is turning and generating current, there is no volt difference across the lamp and it goes out. As it doesn't come on, suggests it is not connected anymore (which in theory means the alt won't charge, but there is usually enough residual magentism to get it started, then it self excites :lol: ). So, check that the wire is there and connected. Try earthing it and see if the light comes on on the dash.
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by Dommo »

Thanks Richard, I shall go and have a look now.

The alternator had moved a good 90 degress forwards from the position it should be in! I wish I had taken a photo, I can't believe it didn't pop my radiator, I think it was resting on my intercooler pipe which helped it just about stay off the rad!`
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by Dommo »

You're bang on the money guys. The thin lead has broken off. No wonder really based on where the alternator ended up!

Just in the process of getting a new spade connector on it. Typically I only have tiny ones or MASSIVE ones!

Cheers. I'll post up again once it's back on.
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by citroenxm »

While on the subject, the same can also happen if the Bulb in the dash blows too... If the bulb for the battery is blown, the altinator simply wont Charge.

As richardw says, it activates the charge circuit.
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by Dommo »

Seriously?

If the bulb is blown the alternator won't charge? I hope that's a joke!

I have got the wire reconnected by the way, and the battery light is back. So thanks very much for that guys.

I knew it had something to do with the wires going to the alternator. Thanks for confirming. Cheers.
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by citroenxm »

NO DOmmo!

ITS SERIOUS! No light, no charge circuit activation, no charge!!!
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by Xantianut »

Sounds like you may have alternator damage as well.

Get the alternator checked. Prices start from around £5 and follow the steps above. If the alternator isn't charging, cheaper and easier to fit a rebuilt alternator.
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Dommo
Posts: 1191
Joined: 11 Apr 2009, 09:43
Location: Stoke-on-Trent
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97 S1 Activa
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93 XM 2.1 Turbo SD

Previous cars
91 Toyota Soarer UZZ32 Active Suspension
97 S1 VSX 1.9 Turbo D
99 Xantia Activa
98 2.1TD Xantia
99 306
x 19

Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by Dommo »

What makes you think I have alternator damage?

The battery light comes on when the engine is not running, and goes off once it is. The problem I was having was that the battery light was NEVER coming on, even with the engine off and the keys in the 'on' position.

And that has the be the strangest piece of car design I've ever heard, is there any reason for it??!
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2008 Peugeot 207 Sw 1.6 16v hdi. 217k and rising
2010 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 8v HDi 161k and rising
x 70

Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by citroenxm »

Yea, as you found, broken connection between bulb and altinator... or blown bulb.

Glad you got it sorted Dommo!!
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
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Re: Xantia Battery light on dash

Post by myglaren »

citroenxm wrote:NO DOmmo!

ITS SERIOUS! No light, no charge circuit activation, no charge!!!
I vividly recall a story from 25 years ago where a guy who I don't know but lived near me and tought at the same college I was attending was spotted by an AA man driving in the dark without lights.
He said if he used the lights he wouldn't get home.
The AA man knew right away what the problem was - blown charge indicator bulb and a ridiculously expensive repair as it was a dash out job - Scorpio!

I can't say for certain but I believe that they use a workaround now in the shape of a shunt resistor.
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