Maybe a daft question ? Maybe Not?

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Hello,

My alternator has failed after 16 years on my S2 xantia 1.9TD
This coming week I have to get the car to Sawtry to have the new one put in for me.

I found one at Euro Car parts 90 amp for £95.99 incl vat. the same alternator at GSF was £235+ vat.

will I be ok to drive the car once started about 25 miles or is the computer going to go power hungry on me and kill the engine before I make it.

Normally thinking I would have thought a diesel would drive many miles without lights or radio running
and no battery connected, but this is a Citroen and something might prevent my Journey.

advice as always gratefully appreciated.

regards.

Nigel.

[Gibbo2286]

Should be ok in daylight if the battery is good.

[Peter.N.]

Yep. Try not to use the heater fan or aircon and go in daylight.

Peter

[Hell Razor5543]

It is possible the brushes have failed. I had this happen on my BX (about 10 years ago), and a new alternator wasn't that cheap. Somebody suggested I check the brushes, which I tried to do (but they weren't there any more!), so I got a replacement brush unit assembly (less than £15) from Thames Valley Electro Diesel, and Hey Presto!, no more electrical issues.

[gadgetgricey]

Might be worthwhile trying to borrow a spare battery and take it with you to change mid journey, if you start to get problems.
Think you'll be fine, but just an added safety net.

Cheers

Dave

[Peter.N.]

Good idea

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Thanks everyone for your guidance.

Battery was replaced in March this year and it has been on a 1amp charge with my R/c Graupner Ultramar charger for the last three days the charger works with all types of batteries and electronically reduces the amps but maintains the voltage as it charges.
Ref: Hellraiser- Brushes: The Alternator caught fire a couple of weeks ago whilst driving in slow moving traffic it was doused with water to put the flames out, voltage output checked out ok and I believe it was caused by a short between the red and black leads of the heater fan which has now been repaired. The red light came on last Thursday and I checked the voltage again it is not charging at all now, considering the history and the risks of just replacing the brushes, possibly overheating and another more serious fire, I have purchased a new alternator. as I said 90 amp was £95.99 at Euro car parts.
GSF was way to expensive at £235 plus vat.
Just thought I'd mention once hot the engine will restart on the battery at least another 3 times I tried this out before putting the battery on charge. what did worry me was the computer eating a lot of power.
Regards.
Nigel

[RichardW]

My HDi (which has a socking great electric fuel pump) ran over 30 miles with no alternator output. You don't have to worry about the blower fan sucking power, as no alt ouput = no blower = cold feet when it's winter and it fails!

[Peter.N.]

I had forgotten about that.

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Well thanks very much everyone but the car made it to Pleiades this morning fine 25 miles no heater but I did use the wipers and of course the indicators/brake lights. it would seem that charging the battery for 3 days paid of well and truly.
in fact I think the 1.9td would run all day long without a battery connected.

[van ordinaire]

Result! Have to say, it's always good to get a closing post from the originator of a thread - unfortunately, it's all too rare!

[old-un77]

Pleiades............

is this outfit in Sawtry?

Bob

ooops! I MUST learn to read the opening post properly........

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Yes Bob Pleiades is in Sawtry