Battery Light comes on at High Revs

1. vts91 L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 67

   #1 9th November 2011, 22:47

   Hi,
   
   Tonight one the way home I noticed the headlights were going slightly dim whenever I changed gear, a little while later the battery light came on for about 3 seconds, and since then it flickers when I'm at high revs in all the gears.
   
   I heard the other day my fan belt squealing - could this be related? Or am I looking at having to get a new alternator? Or a new battery?
   
   Any help to shed some light on this is appreciated as I need it sorted tomorrow really!
   
   
   
   Dan
2. user_46658 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2010 Little Mill, South Wales Posts: 7547 Mondeo ST TDCI Saxo VTS

   #2 9th November 2011, 22:57

   Sounds like the alternator to me, with the cold weather coming in aswell its best to get it done
3. user_53493 Frequent Poster Joined: Jun 2011 Cardiff Posts: 908 Mk4 Fiesta Encore Mk1 Saxo Eastcoast

   #3 9th November 2011, 23:17

   My old Fiesta had the same problem. Fan belt squealed, and whenever I revved it the battery light came on. You either need to tighten the belt or to get a new one
4. vts91 L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 67

   #4 10th November 2011, 06:33

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Brettles1986 Sounds like the alternator to me, with the cold weather coming in aswell its best to get it done

   This is what I thought!
   
   

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by geraintthomas My old Fiesta had the same problem. Fan belt squealed, and whenever I revved it the battery light came on. You either need to tighten the belt or to get a new one

   Hello mate, this is the best case solution cost wise I think! Did the problem ever come back once you'd tightened/replaced it?
   
   Thanks for the replies
5. vts91 L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 67

   #5 10th November 2011, 08:42

   Well on the way to the gym this morning the battery light came on and stayed on, then just as I got to the gym car park the power steering and blowers stopped working
   
   Car is at the garage now!
   
   
6. ads85 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Bradford on Avon,Nr Bath Posts: 866 '01 astra coupe

   #6 10th November 2011, 09:54

   Mine did this last week found the wiring from starter motor to alternator (goes to the larger connection of the two on alt)was corroded causing too much resistance, replaced with a much thicker cable and has so far been ok
7. vts91 L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 67

   #7 10th November 2011, 10:51

   For reference, £222 later, the alternator was replaced and all is fine now
8. user_46658 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2010 Little Mill, South Wales Posts: 7547 Mondeo ST TDCI Saxo VTS

   #8 10th November 2011, 10:56

   £222 fuck me that expensive
9. ads85 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Bradford on Avon,Nr Bath Posts: 866 '01 astra coupe

   #9 10th November 2011, 11:07

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by vts91 For reference, £222 later, the alternator was replaced and all is fine now

   How much!!, brand new with a guarentee i presume?
10. vts91 L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 67

    #10 10th November 2011, 12:12

    Reconditioned with a years guarantee...
    
    I know I could have got it done cheaper but I need a car for the rest of the week and for this weekend so had to get it done! Couldn't be arsed doing it myself in the cold!
11. ads85 Frequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Bradford on Avon,Nr Bath Posts: 866 '01 astra coupe

    #11 10th November 2011, 12:17

    Its expensive but if you need it done then you need it done, i got quoted about £120 for a new alt but then i'm not in a rush so mine is patched up and i have a spare 2nd alternator at a friends just need to pick it up