Important! : Accelerate hard, battery light comes on...

1. GAS_7 Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2012 Gravesend, Kent Posts: 166 51' Citroen Saxo VTS 06' Chrysler Grand Voyager

   #1 26th September 2012, 09:33

   Have a VTS and have noticed when I accelerate hard, as the revs go above 5 and half the battery light comes on very dim but gets brighter as the revs continue to go up. Only happens web I give it some but normal driving is fine. Any ideas on this issue?!
2. user_34323 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: May 2009 ringwood Posts: 6305 suzuki swift 1.2 sz3

   #2 26th September 2012, 09:45

   Alternators probably died/ing
3. danny-vts Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2010 Chesterfield/Nottingham Posts: 7147 dead vts. twisted 106 gti. '03' vtrrrr

   #3 26th September 2012, 14:13

   also check the plug on the alternator, make sure its connected properly and clean
4. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

   #4 26th September 2012, 14:55

   belt tension checked? earth/power terminals checked? Then it's new alternator time.
5. Cam Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.

   #5 26th September 2012, 15:15

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Ross belt tension checked? earth/power terminals checked? Then it's new alternator time.

   Would not say new alternator time till its died and wont charge, mine has been doing it well over a year now i have done everything to try stop it doing it but it still does.
6. user_39461 Super Moderator Joined: Nov 2009 Cambridge(ish), UK. Posts: 10581 BMW 5x M50d.

   #6 26th September 2012, 15:24

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Cam Would not say new alternator time till its died and wont charge, mine has been doing it well over a year now i have done everything to try stop it doing it but it still does.

   My bad.
   
   OP Caveat: "If you drive like a fuckin' WIMP leave it until it fails. Real men spend their lives in the red part of the rev counter".
   
   
7. LVC Frequent Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Le Mans, France Posts: 976 VTS, Hawkeye WRX, Def90 & Freelander HSE (ex-VTR)

   #7 26th September 2012, 18:56

   Sounds more like a slipping belt to me - check the tension first - it costs nothing and could save buying a new alternator.
   
   My old/old engine had an issue with the rubber in the crankshaft pulley that had perished and this would loose grip and therefore not turn the belt and alternator correctly - same effect (dim dash light then brighter) but made a hell of a squeal in the process.
8. GAS_7 Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2012 Gravesend, Kent Posts: 166 51' Citroen Saxo VTS 06' Chrysler Grand Voyager

   #8 27th September 2012, 10:19

   I'll check the basics then before I go buy new parts. Fan belt did squeak a bit this morning when I first started it so most likely belt needs tightening.
9. Malley Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2011 Dinnington, Sheffield, S25. Posts: 146 Citroén Saxo VTR Mk1 (Venetian Red)

   #9 27th September 2012, 20:25

   All else fails don't go out and buy a new alternator, just buy new brushes for it thats all I did. Does need tiniest bit of soldering but saves a fortune when it costs like £80 or whatever price for alternator is :L
   
   Link to brushes I bought and worked a treat:
   
   http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-VOLT-AL...#ht_881wt_1344
10. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

    #10 27th September 2012, 20:44

    Do a test. put a few slithers of tin foil into the the connector plug terminals at the top of the alternator. Go for a drive and see if the light appears still when your revs are high.
    
    If not, it's a loose connection at the terminal.
    
    If yes, your alternator its gooooing or belt is slipping...
11. GAS_7 Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2012 Gravesend, Kent Posts: 166 51' Citroen Saxo VTS 06' Chrysler Grand Voyager

    #11 28th September 2012, 10:34

    Right, went to adjust the belt for the alternator and come across a problem...I don't actually know how to adjust it! I'm new to saxos so that's my excuse
    
    Is there any picture or threads on here that explain how to adjust it?
12. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

    #12 28th September 2012, 11:13

    Im going for the voltage regulator.
13. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

    #13 28th September 2012, 18:25

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by GAS_7 Right, went to adjust the belt for the alternator and come across a problem...I don't actually know how to adjust it! I'm new to saxos so that's my excuse Is there any picture or threads on here that explain how to adjust it?

    Without pictures.... errrrr
    
    Two bolts that go into the block(?)... one above (hidden just below the belt), one below the tensioner pulley. You need to loosen them, do NOT remove them, you just need enough slackening to allow the tension arm to move.
    
    Underneath the car, the tension system need a little hex bolt (cant remember size sadly) which you turn to slacken and tighten the tensioner. clockwise to loosen, anti to tighten - which is a bit confusing lol.
    
    Before you do that pinch the belt and see if you can twist it > 90 degs. Obviously don't go Heman on it, just a little bit of force to see what it does. If goes more than 90 degs, it's loose. 80 degs is about right.
    
    But seriously before all the hassle of that, plug the terminals with tin foil and take it for a spin.
    
    
14. GAS_7 Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2012 Gravesend, Kent Posts: 166 51' Citroen Saxo VTS 06' Chrysler Grand Voyager

    #14 28th September 2012, 23:08

    emmm think i got that! But think I will try the tin foil idea first, sounds easier
15. Scrapso Infrequent Poster Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 152

    #15 1st October 2012, 19:52

    Hmm tightening the tentioner is like buttering bread is it not? Pretty self explanetory loosing one bolt that holds the tensioner and tighten the screw that pushes it up tighterm my car did just have this problem though and the crank pulley spat its guts out new crank pulley was 30 quid delivered from ebay delivered although I did snap the tensioner bolt come to think of it I've snapped nearly everly bolt av removed haha
16. GAS_7 Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2012 Gravesend, Kent Posts: 166 51' Citroen Saxo VTS 06' Chrysler Grand Voyager

    #16 12th October 2012, 19:01

    I found the problem! driving home today and the battery light stayed on, so when I got back I popped the bonnet and pushed down on the connector, was nearly hanging off!
    checked the dash and the ligh had gone off. Going to put some tin foil in the connectoer tomorrow and tighten the belt so hopefully that'll be problem solved