Odd alternator problem

[Gadge]

I fired the car up for the first time in a week and I've noticed a problem. The battery light never came on with the ignition so when it was running I put a multimeter across the battery and sure enough it's not charging (11.35 volts). I put a test light on the alternator and there's power going to it so is it a case of a duff alternator or is there something eles?

[michaelodonnell500]

I fired the car up for the first time in a week and I've noticed a problem. The battery light never came on with the ignition so when it was running I put a multimeter across the battery and sure enough it's not charging (11.35 volts). I put a test light on the alternator and there's power going to it so is it a case of a duff alternator or is there something eles?

Have you checked the battery light bulb?  If that's blown you'll have an open circuit.

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[Gadge]

Good shout I'll check that out

[Gadge]

Ok update - it's not the dash bulb. Strangely it uses a 501 bullet type side light bulb of which I have plenty of so I swapped it for a new one and still the same so I have power to the alternator but seemingly nothing coming out so I think I have a paggered alternator. I actually have a spare but it needs new bearings (grrrrr) so I've ordered some new ones and will refit that one and see where I'm at.

[Rusty's Uncle]

Did you check out the carbon brushes as they are the components that are most prone to wear 

[Gadge]

No not yet rusty how easy are they to remove?

[Rusty's Uncle]

I don't have a Bis but I looked at the Panda manual which I guess would be similar and it looks like a fairly simple procedure 

[Darrell]

Watching this as mine is doing a similar thing and the battery slowly gets too low to start the car.

[Gadge]

Sorted I spent the morning fitting new bearings into another alternator I had lying around and refitted it only for the problem still to be there so after rechecking the fuses, relays and the dash wiring I removed the battery light bulb again and refitted it and hey presto it came on  so it would seem the fault was perhaps the bulb holder not securely in place or vibrated out.

[mintex]

Nice one  i will have to remember that one if mine ever does anything similar.