Alternator/Battery Problems?

1. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

   #1 18th October 2011, 21:33

   Had a new battery and alternator problem less than a year ago, got it all sorted and it seemed fine!
   
   Now come today, i got to work, and i was closing my electric windows, and noticed the idle revs dropped ever so slightly?
   
   So when i finished work (in the dark), i turned my lights on and got moving, but started playing around with the windows again, and the headlights would dim? And when idling the revs would still drop slightly when idling.
   
   Im going to Halfords tommorow to get an alternator/battery test, but need to drive 20 miles first to get to/from work. Will my car last that long lol?
   
   Is the chances are the alternator has packed up? (Even though it was brand new?)
   
   Thanks
   
   Ash
2. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

   #2 18th October 2011, 21:38

   have you tried taking off and refitting the battery contacts at all? Since it's a 1.5d you need a 75 amp battery iirc. Did you buy a cheap shit battery from halfords or a decent one, I have seen more halford batteries failures than I care to remember. I remember my brother having 4 consecutive halfrauds batteries failing, he asked for his money back in the end.
   
   Only a test will tell you to be honest, but try to clean and refresh the contacts on the battery and earth on the alternator anyway. Could also be a corroded cable.
3. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

   #3 18th October 2011, 21:40

   No i havent, might give that a go tommorow, but its too dark to do it now and i start at 7am in the morning so im quite tight for time.
   
   Err i went into halfrauds and gave them my reg plate and they got the battery details on their system and told me what one i should get. They gave me 3 options, low med and high end spec, i brought the high one. Think its a Bosch to be honest, cant remember as it was such a long time ago
4. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

   #4 18th October 2011, 21:41

   yeaaaa well I wouldn't trust them to be honest. Most of the staff don't have a clue, some will even lie to you as I found out myself. Their batteries are shit as I already explained.
5. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

   #5 18th October 2011, 21:47

   Im guessing: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165762 (the one i got) is shit lol?
   
   Reckon ill be able to do 2 x 10 mile trips tomorrow if the alternator isnt working properly?
6. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

   #6 18th October 2011, 21:49

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Ash_ Im guessing: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165762 (the one i got) is shit lol?

   overpriced and not enough amps, you need at least 75 on a diesel mate. As far as I am concerned, a person selling me car bits in terms of "low med and high end spec" would ring my alarm bells. Just make sure you refresh your cable contacts before you leave. Usually you have a bit of headroom before it completely dies.
   
   Hope you still have a receipt in case of a dead battery, they should cover you with 3 years guarantee
7. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

   #7 18th October 2011, 21:51

   Really?! And this one only has 63? Any particular reason why diesels need 75 by any chance?
8. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

   #8 18th October 2011, 21:54

   Glow plugs + drawing more energy when you start the engine .. 75 amps for the saxo, depends with cars like a bmw 330d battery is 90 amps
9. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

   #9 18th October 2011, 21:57

   Ahhh ok thanks
   
   Also, about the 2 x 10 mile journeys tomorrow, reckon ill be ok?
   
   Thanks for your help dude!
10. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #10 18th October 2011, 22:01

    you should be fine but it really is a matter of how long is a piece of string. Like I said you have a bit of a margin between the time you notice the problem and when it actually dies. I tried to squeeze every amp out of a dying battery once, took a couple of weeks but I was stuck with a totally dead car afterwards, and in your case your car will not start if you lack amps. So if the engine starts tomorrowz then you should be OK.
11. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

    #11 18th October 2011, 22:02

    Ah ok thanks for your help mate!
12. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #12 18th October 2011, 22:11

    If you have a booster pack then stick that in the boot,the battery i`ve got is 4.5yrs old now & made by eveready touch wood it`s still going strong.
13. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

    #13 18th October 2011, 22:16

    Nope not got a booster pack or anything Bad times eh lol
14. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #14 18th October 2011, 22:17

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stevo67 If you have a booster pack then stick that in the boot,the battery i`ve got is 4.5yrs old now & made by eveready touch wood it`s still going strong.

    The trick I use is having a bigger battery than required: a 75 amps when the car only needs 40 or 45 iirc. It does last longer and eliminated problems such as the lights dimming when I use the windows while the stereo playing some heavy bass and some other electrics may be working like rear demister, fan etc. It all adds up quicker in winter.
15. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

    #15 18th October 2011, 22:33

    Just checked to see if my alternator was actually spinning the belt, which it is? But im guessing that doesnt for sure say its working?
    
    But is it common for lights to slightly dim when using windows and cd player?
    
    Ash
16. Morgiee Established Member Joined: Dec 2008 Middlesbrough Posts: 2267 Past: Citroen Saxo Forte W reg posi blue Now: H

    #16 18th October 2011, 22:33

    Sounds more like the alt problem. The battery you got their will be fine goo infact as the alt must be higher amp than the battery for charging rate. But have seen the pully on the alt been loose one some saxos ans that causes dimming and things as its attempting to charge bu the belt is loose meaning its not charging like it should. Also check for main earth's. i had my saxo die on me randomely when driving and loads of electrical problems replacing fuel pumps ignition coil, ht leads and in the end it was one earth. A alt charge is just as good as its earths.
    
    Hope that helps
17. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #17 18th October 2011, 22:38

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ash_ Just checked to see if my alternator was actually spinning the belt, which it is? But im guessing that doesnt for sure say its working? But is it common for lights to slightly dim when using windows and cd player? Ash

    my brother had that, turned out the battery died, then the alternator heheh
18. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

    #18 18th October 2011, 22:41

    Well last winter, my alternator died and then my battery died with an error on a error code reader thingy lol.
    
    So best bet at the moment is to just get it tested?
19. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #19 18th October 2011, 22:43

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ash_ So best bet at the moment is to just get it tested?

    It's pretty much a matter of ruling out what's fine from what's wrong. Don't lose some sleep over it, you'll find out soon enough. Not the worst problem on a saxo by far.
20. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

    #20 18th October 2011, 22:48

    Okay dude thanks for your help And na i've had my fair share of problems lol Exhaust and cat falling off, alternator going, battery going, power steering pump going... Whats next eh lol?
21. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #21 18th October 2011, 22:50

    I've that exhaust falling once lol, was not too impressed that day having to come back on foot while nobody was answering their bloody phones. I had a lemon of a 106 once, I was at the garage every single week. Got rid in the end after spending more than the car's worth.
22. Ash_ Regular Poster Joined: May 2010 Hampshire Posts: 390 03 Black VTR

    #22 19th October 2011, 16:41

    Turns out it was perfectly fine, all charging good and producing the right levels of power.
    
    Must have been something ive not noticed before
    
    Ash