Battery Light Stays On.

15th October 2012, 11:06

Hi Guys,

Saxo Desire 1.1 no Mods

I know that this problem has been covered from many different angles, but my problem has been missed.

I'll paint the scene. Cold night, slid and hit a curb at 25mph. (Will post pictures of damage after) I started to drive my car home after inspecting damage to the wheel. The passenger side wheel was the only PHYSICAL damage i could see. Got around about 0.3 miles down the road and it was like a horror film, pitch black country road. Demister turned off first, then dashboard stopped working, heater stopped, lights dimmed, radio turned off... Worst of all, the Power Steering cut out.

When i say the power steering cut out i mean yanking the steering wheel to turn the slightest bit.

So i managed to get the poor thing home, that morning i inspected the damage to the wheel again and replaced it with the spare. Whilst doing that i didn't notice any damage past the wheel itself, but the power steering didn't work again after about 1-2 minutes, and the battery light stayed on.

What do you think is wrong with the poor car?

Checked the power steering fluid - Fine.
Checked for leaks - No leaks.
Checked for loose cables - No loose cables.
Checked fuses - didn't understand it.
Checked engine itself - Seems fine.

The reason why (and i'm sure a lot of us do) i am posting this on here is not to waste your time, but so i can get a greater understanding so that the garage man doesn't take all my pennies.

P.S - Ignore the fact that i have trims instead of Alloys

Many thanks for any replies!

15th October 2012, 11:22

I know when the battery has died on my vts before the powering steering went on a couple of occasions. So i'm going to guess you're battery isn't holding charge, or your alternator is on it's way out. I would buy a mulitmeter (can get one for about a fiver) and test the battery and alternator. Test the battery when the car is off and it should read (someone correct me if i'm wrong) between 12 and 13 volts. Test the battery again when the car is fired up, if the alternator is charging the reading should now be around 14 volts. If not then you know your alternator is shagged

15th October 2012, 11:59

alternator or earth problem. Is the alternator belt actually still on?

Unfortunately you haven't completed your profile so I can't see where you are - if you were local, I'd say I'd pop round or you pop to mine and I'd take a look for you.

15th October 2012, 19:05

Thank you for your replies guys, I will post some pictures of my car tomorrow on how it's looking underneath the bonnet. The belt is still on (unfortunately I am no mechanic and have no idea, this why I am asking you and not going to get ripped off for the cost of someone looking)

I live in Southampton for the record

many thanks

Max