Possible new alternator?

1. Ghosty L-plater Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Saxo 1.6 vtr Ford fiesta mk4 1.25

   #1 16th January 2013, 12:35

   Finally managed to get hold of a multimeter to test my battery/alternator, when the car is off the battery reads 12.5v, on idle the battery is pretty much bang on 14v, with lights on music playing heaters going etc it drops to around 12.5v and when i put the hazards on it drops to 12v.
   
   Does this sound like a faulty battery or is my alternator to blaim? Or could it be that my sub/amp is simply drawing to much power?
2. MartinObviously Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge

   #2 16th January 2013, 12:38

   At idle your alternator is doing sod all.
   
   do what you did before, but give the car some revs, do a fast idle (1500rpm)
   
   if the voltage is still 12 then your alternator isn't up to it or the wiring is bad.
3. Ghosty L-plater Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Saxo 1.6 vtr Ford fiesta mk4 1.25

   #3 16th January 2013, 12:44

   Thanks for your reply martin I did as you said and voltage on the battery is around 13.2-13.3v, sounds like the alternator is working ok then?
4. MartinObviously Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge

   #4 16th January 2013, 12:47

   Yup
   
   What's actually wrong? Lights dimming when you've got the music up loud?
   
   Probably needing a beefier battery or a capacitor?
5. Ghosty L-plater Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Saxo 1.6 vtr Ford fiesta mk4 1.25

   #5 16th January 2013, 12:50

   No i'm not having any problems as such with the battery just poor idling etc few people have told me to check the battery to eliminate that as the cause, back to the drawing board I guess lol cheers anyway
6. MartinObviously Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge

   #6 16th January 2013, 12:53

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Ghosty No i'm not having any problems as such with the battery just poor idling etc few people have told me to check the battery to eliminate that as the cause, back to the drawing board I guess lol cheers anyway

   Poor idling could be a bad battery, I had this problem on the GTI when I had it stored in my garage.
   
   Idled very rough, however if I jump started it with a second battery it idled spot on.
7. Ghosty L-plater Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Saxo 1.6 vtr Ford fiesta mk4 1.25

   #7 16th January 2013, 12:57

   It idles at around 700/800rpm all the time, sometimes when I first start it it can rev anywere between 200-1200rpm (has gone so low its stalled itself a couple of times) also does it when I'm sat in traffic or pull up to a junction etc
8. MartinObviously Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge

   #8 16th January 2013, 13:00

   hmmm
   
   If you take the battery out the car and leave it to settle for an hour. find the voltage on the battery.
   
   if it's less than 12 then it's probably dud/old? or needing some water topping up and an off car charge.
9. Ghosty L-plater Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Saxo 1.6 vtr Ford fiesta mk4 1.25

   #9 16th January 2013, 13:04

   Do I find the voltage on battery while its still of the car or connect it back up and idle up to 1500rpm and then check it?
   
   I'm not a mechanically minded person got a few days of work so trying to find the problem myself without spending more money at a garage for them to tell me they cant find anything wrong :|
10. MartinObviously Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge

    #10 16th January 2013, 13:10

    Off the car just remove it as it is and let it settle for a while.
    
    A good condition battery in a cycle in a car, when removed from the car should be about 12.3-12.6 V.
11. Ghosty L-plater Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Saxo 1.6 vtr Ford fiesta mk4 1.25

    #11 16th January 2013, 14:44

    removed the battery from the car and its reading 12.6 ill leave it while i clean the car then check it again seems like the battery is ok tho?
12. MartinObviously Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge

    #12 16th January 2013, 15:52

    yeah would appear so :o
    
    your lumpy idling must be something else then.
13. Ghosty L-plater Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Saxo 1.6 vtr Ford fiesta mk4 1.25

    #13 16th January 2013, 16:18

    Left it around an hour checked again and its reading 12.5 so looks like I'm guna have to pay Citroen the £50 to find out
14. MartinObviously Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2012 Perth Posts: 3665 Peugeot 106 1.1 Turbo Peugeot 106 1.5D Turbo Peuge

    #14 16th January 2013, 17:09

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Ghosty Left it around an hour checked again and its reading 12.5 so looks like I'm guna have to pay Citroen the £50 to find out

    Sorry I can't be of more help, I'm baffled and it could be loads of possibilities.
15. Ghosty L-plater Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 59 Saxo 1.6 vtr Ford fiesta mk4 1.25

    #15 16th January 2013, 17:14

    Yeh I changed a few things towards the end of last year and went into my local garage a couple times with no luck decided to just put up with it until after christmas and now I've had enough and just want it sorted lol