Electrical/burning problem

1. DJDannyB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2008 Stockport Posts: 2687

   #1 11th October 2011, 16:13

   I noticed last night that there was a burning smell in the car. Today i have started the car up and noticed that the battery light is flickering when i go to accelerate, also when the light is flickering there is a clicking noise coming from the fuse box area. What could this be? I'm guessing the burning smell has something to do with it too.
2. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

   #2 11th October 2011, 16:29

   Clicking is heard from relays, indicator one usually.
   But you mention it's when you accelerate.. and added with the flickering battery light I'd say the alternator is on it's way out.
   
   Few months back, i was tootling down a country lane at 70mph.. And the alternator bearings collapsed. It literally brought me to a stop. The smell of burning electrics was unreal!
3. coleman258 Established Member Joined: Nov 2008 Eastbourne Posts: 2474 Astra van daily Black Saxo VTR 16v'd kent PT51

   #3 11th October 2011, 17:26

   I had exactly the same problem, after a few minutes the clicking stopped and the battery light went solid, i still havn't solved it.
   
   But about a month ago it had a brand new valeo alternator so unlikely to be that.
4. DJDannyB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2008 Stockport Posts: 2687

   #4 11th October 2011, 18:45

   Yeah im guessing the alternator is dead, just went to start again and it wouldn't even start. Jump started it and got it going but dead again now. Put a volt meter on the battery which shows 12, when i tried starting it dropped to 0. So looks like the alternators been failing and now the battery is drained.
5. GRAHAM2000VTR Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: May 2007 peterborough Posts: 2861 2003 black vtr current escort van lol 2006 ford

   #5 11th October 2011, 18:50

   check the wiring to the alternator if you haven't got the little heat shield on the wiring gets hot off the manifold especially on aftermarket manifolds
6. user_51379 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2011 plymouth Posts: 2921 mk2 VTS

   #6 11th October 2011, 18:51

   as above check the alternater to batt wire
7. DJDannyB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2008 Stockport Posts: 2687

   #7 11th October 2011, 18:54

   Checked the wiring, its all good. heat shield is in place and the wiring also has a tubing around it to protect it. Soo, alternator?