Xantia 1.9TD Euro Car Parts Alternator.

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Hi,
I Bought a replacement Alternator from Euro Car Parts Last August and it was fitted by Martin @ Pleiades.
I got into the car last night and the battery light stayed on for about 5 mins then it went out,
I thought it odd for a five month old alternator so I pulled over turned off the ignition and the battery light stayed on albeit very dimly.

The lights on the car were very dim, however in the snow I managed to get home again, in the last mile or so smoke was billowing
from my bonnet the alternator really seemed to be giving up.

This alternator behaved exactly how the old one did as it gave up, I am wondering if there could be any underlying cause other than the alternator
packing in or is it just likely to be a dodgy/badly made alternator? the battery light is on about as bright as it can be now, and there is no output from the alternator.

has anyone else had similar problems with Euro car part alternators?

It always happens at a time when you need the car most currently my Father is in Leicester Glenfield hospital

recovering from heart surgery which he had last Tuesday.

cheers
Nigel.

[wurlycorner]

Smoke billowing from the bonnet?
What was it emanating from inside the bonnet?

As a starter for ten, I suggest checking all the earths are present and correct under the bonnet and inspecting all the power cables coming from the positive battery terminal (particularly the one that runs across to the alternator) for any damage to insulation.

[wheeler]

I thought it odd for a five month old alternator so I pulled over turned off the ignition and the battery light stayed on albeit very dimly.

Not if its a ECP RTX brand, 5 months is great to get out of one.

has anyone else had similar problems with Euro car part alternators?

If its the RTX brand from ECP then yes, would never touch another RTX alternator or starter with a barge pole, been bitten far to many times. They are a fraction of the price of a brand name for a reason.

[jgra1]

Nigel, sorry to hear of problems just when you need the car as you do!

I do have an almost brand new one in my spares.. fitted by RAC for a friend, for £250 and used for 2 months! Its buried a bit but is a Valeo..
was fitted to a TD306 with the top mounted intercooler.. Memory of the TD range is faded but I think that was the first TD 306's, about 1995/6 etc


John

[CitroJim]

Sounds like the rectifier pack died..

Five months of life is atrocious...

Nigel, hope your dad is making a good recovery...

[Hell Razor5543]

We all know what Citronut thought of ECP! I think that this goes to vindicate his opinion.

[CitroJim]

We all know what Citronut thought of ECP! I think that this goes to vindicate his opinion.

Yes, his and I suspect others too; not least me...

I have never failed to have been disappointed...

[lexi]

You just need to watch the lines that they are selling or promoting.
I have had lots of good deals in last year from ECP. All good brands and bought when they gave discount on an already low price.
Click and collect if I need asap, or free postage if for stock. I buy from them all on brand and price.

[bobins]

Click and collect if I need asap, or free postage if for stock. I buy from them all on brand and price.

I think the problem that a lot of people have with ECP, is that you can't necessarily trust that the brand/make on the box, is the same as what's in the box.......

[chinkostu]

Or labelled correctly!

[bobins]

Or labelled correctly!

Funnily enough, I had exactly that problem today. An incorrect wheel bearing supplied by them......

[falling-out-with-my-car]

it is indeed an RTX, I've lost my receipt but I have found my bank statement showing the transaction on august 24th last year.
I am hoping and praying that they will let me upgrade to the 95 amp Bosch instead, its a big ask but I am hoping.
The car made it to Pleiades this morning it was very cold in the country lanes for an hour or so.
Martin is pulling the Alternator for me which I shall collect and take back to Euro Car Parts.

[CitroJim]

Nigel, I really hope ECP do the right thing with the alternator... At 5 months it should be under warranty even without the original receipt and I hope ECP honour it...

If not you can claim it is not fit for purpose.

[falling-out-with-my-car]

That sounds like a good back up plan, Thanks Jim.
I'll post back on this thread once I Have been to ECP,
with the end result. £95.99 was the price.
I should have realised it wasn't going to live up to much.
I might well print off this thread as a measure of leverage if I may?

Nigel.

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Well it seems that they are happy to take the balance of £72.99 to allow me to
upgrade to the Bosch 95amp alternator. on production of my debit card statement
showing payment to them on August 24th last year.
That's the last time I buy a chepo RTX alternator from ECP.
On removal it was still shiny at 5 months old.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

regards.

Nigel.