Intermitent battery light

1. werdna Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 Leeds Posts: 680 Ep3 Type R

   #1 21st May 2010, 13:11

   Hi
   
   I started getting a flickering battery light a few months ago usually just a few times per week for no more than a minute or so.
   
   Recently this has become an every journey occurance and the light is now staying on for much longer also.
   
   I have checked the alternator by putting a multimeter across the terminals which is reading between 13.80-14.00v with the engine running and 12.50-12.60v with the ignition switched off which i assume is normal.
   
   I have also cleaned up the connections on the alternator but still to no avail.
   
   Does anyone have any other ideas as this is getting really annoying?
2. Stevo123 Established Member Joined: Apr 2009 Redcar Posts: 1971 2000 Posi Blue vtr

   #2 21st May 2010, 13:22

   You have got a poor connection somewhere or a cable that is broek under the insulation. You have checked alternator connections alread, now check connection at other end, Ie battery and earth on gearbox. I don't know with citroen but ford used to go [battery]----[starter]-----[alternator] so maybe you should have a look at connetcion on starter motor as well.
   
   Maybe you could get someone to watch the dashboard while you wiggle the wires around and try to replicate the fault. I feel if it was the alternator you would have this problem all the time, not just now and then.
3. werdna Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 Leeds Posts: 680 Ep3 Type R

   #3 21st May 2010, 18:22

   Thanks for response
   
   I checked the aux belt which was loose so tightened that but still no joy.
   
   Seems it may well be an earth fault as you mention.
4. werdna Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 Leeds Posts: 680 Ep3 Type R

   #4 3rd June 2010, 10:20

   Update:
   
   Still no joy with this despite now cleaning up all the earth points in the engine bay, cleaning alternator connections and tightening alternator drive belt.
   
   The battery light is only coming on after twenty minutes of driving, if the car is switched off for more than couple of hours the light will go out and then come back again once the car is warm.
   
   Why would the light only come on one the car is warm?
   
   Does anyone have any ideas at all as this is seriously getting on my nerves now?
   
   Think i may just change the alternator and battery just to eliminate them but would like to avoid spending on a whim if i can.
5. Sparco_Tom Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2007 Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 12836 Yeaaahh Fiesta

   #5 3rd June 2010, 10:33

   make sure all the gearbox earths are done up tight
6. werdna Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 Leeds Posts: 680 Ep3 Type R

   #6 3rd June 2010, 10:34

   I have done the two ontop of the gearbox are there anymore?
   
   I have also done the earths both infront and behind the battery.
   
   Thanks
7. Alexp Central South Joined: Jun 2006 East Sussex Posts: 3105 VTS :)

   #7 3rd June 2010, 12:58

   Is there a squeak noise?
   When my light started to flash it was the crank pulley on the way out.