Massive electrical problem

1. s555dan Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2010 Bristol Posts: 493 16v'd Saxo VTR Mk1 Astra G Coupe 1.8

   #1 9th October 2010, 17:58

   Hello all
   
   Following on from a clutch change on my 98 VTR i now have a nasty situation
   
   
   The battery light is one and the car eventually loses power and dies.
   
   The car runs fine when jump leaded up to another running car, but once disconnected the battery light slowly illuminates and the car cuts out. It will not restart on its own accord.
   
   What ive done:
   
   - Changed the alternator
   
   - tried a different battery (charged)
   
   - cleaned gearbox earth point
   
   Now, all of the above has not fixed the problem so I assume i have done somthing wrong when putting the car back together following the clutch change. what could that be?
   
   One point worth noting, when i put the starter motor back on i accidently mixed up the terminals so when i re connected the battery the starter was constantly on ( i only let it run for a second before realising) So i swapped the terminals and the car started but there is now a reasonably loud eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee noise coming from the starter reigon. Could this be linked?
   
   Looking forward to your suggestions
   
   Dan
2. s555dan Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2010 Bristol Posts: 493 16v'd Saxo VTR Mk1 Astra G Coupe 1.8

   #2 9th October 2010, 18:37

   Anyone had similar problem?
3. burgerfeet Infrequent Poster Joined: Oct 2010 Bridgend Posts: 231 VTS 2002 - well the Mrs does

   #3 9th October 2010, 19:58

   What about the connection between the alternator output and the battery???
   
   Have you made any voltage measurements??
   
   Diagnosing a charging fault should only take a few minutes, the circuit is that simple, but you cannot do quickly without a multimeter.
   
   If the noise is there all the time ie no ignition, that is not good. Which connection EXACTLY did you get wrong?
4. citroen_saxo_vtr Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2006 Norwich Posts: 2823 Vectra sri 2.6 v6

   #4 9th October 2010, 20:05

   Trapped a wire in the gearbox whilst fitting it again? sounds like a maybe a wire has burnout, my furio 16v did this.
5. s555dan Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2010 Bristol Posts: 493 16v'd Saxo VTR Mk1 Astra G Coupe 1.8

   #5 9th October 2010, 20:58

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by burgerfeet What about the connection between the alternator output and the battery??? Have you made any voltage measurements?? Diagnosing a charging fault should only take a few minutes, the circuit is that simple, but you cannot do quickly without a multimeter. If the noise is there all the time ie no ignition, that is not good. Which connection EXACTLY did you get wrong?

   Im going to get a voltmeter asap, but all the evidence suggested alternator from what i read on here. Just my luck it is not that simple!
   
   The noise is there when the car is running
   
   On the starter there are three connections.
   
   The earth i got right. it was the other two i mixed up
6. s555dan Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2010 Bristol Posts: 493 16v'd Saxo VTR Mk1 Astra G Coupe 1.8

   #6 9th October 2010, 21:06

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by citroen_saxo_vtr Trapped a wire in the gearbox whilst fitting it again? sounds like a maybe a wire has burnout, my furio 16v did this.

   How can u tell a burnt out wire? is it litterally melted and obvious?
7. s555dan Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2010 Bristol Posts: 493 16v'd Saxo VTR Mk1 Astra G Coupe 1.8

   #7 10th October 2010, 10:17

   bump anyone had similar experience?