Dreaded Red Battery light

**DazBlackCSL** · 13-03-2010, 06:12 PM

Quick question, this is a bit weird and not the usual thing that happens when the light appears and the Alternator is a dead duck etc ( it might be )

So for over a year now, the light has come and gone, not that much on, and only for a few miles then goes out.

Started about year ago, and over that time been on and off 4/5 times, and remember I drive it every single day and normally 30 miles + each time so no short journeys, involving M4 and some country twistys.

BUT last night when pulling off the M4 it appeared and did not go out, have spent most of the day, giving it some TLC with the bucket... and when finished thought id spin round the block for 15/20 mins to see if I could shake the light out .. but not this time

So what's your thoughts on this, I have decided not to use it now, and will after 9am on monday call BM emergency recovery / service and get it into the stealer... it says not to use it when the light is on as it could overheat, and as the light has never stayed on for more than 5/10 mins, not been able to take it to them as it's running fine and with no battery light on

So all a bit strange, as everyone else ive spoken to and seen post's about this, has just broken down and come to a halt after light appears and gets the Bat / Alternator etc replaced under warranty.

any ideas chaps and chapette

s.mac · 13-03-2010, 06:28 PM

mine was on and off just like yours Daz for a year, no problems including track days and it was on and off all the time, not just a few times like you mentioned. No problems at all but Murketts changed the alternator under warranty when it was in recently.

BTW Is the car running better ?

**shimmy** · 13-03-2010, 06:28 PM

could be a belt loose this time as i think when alternator goes you only get 4-5 hours before the car grinds to a halt

**DazBlackCSL** · 13-03-2010, 06:33 PM

Nice day to spend outside giving it some TLC tho... rather be driving it

s.mac · 13-03-2010, 06:33 PM

they changed the belt as well ! although I had to pay for that

no labour charge though...

**DazBlackCSL** · 13-03-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.mac

mine was on and off just like yours Daz for a year, no problems including track days and it was on and off all the time, not just a few times like you mentioned. No problems at all but Murketts changed the alternator under warranty when it was in recently.

BTW Is the car running better ?

Hmmm will get it in Monday I think and push for that...

Yes it actually feels a tad more responsive with the non cat pipe, really raw sound from the outside too, and yes lost the splutter now

**DazBlackCSL** · 13-03-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimmy

could be a belt loose this time as i think when alternator goes you only get 4-5 hours before the car grinds to a halt

Hmmm weird it went in for Oil service two weeks ago, and I asked them to check it, and they said belt was fine

Hmmm bloody thing, will get it in, just dont want my five hours to run out whilst im in it

shane@mbtech · 13-03-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DazBlackCSL

Hmmm weird it went in for Oil service two weeks ago, and I asked them to check it, and they said belt was fine

Hmmm bloody thing, will get it in, just dont want my five hours to run out whilst im in it

Just get a multimeter, put it on volts across your battery, run your car and it should rise from the 11-12v not running to 13-14v when running. This will tell you if its charging or not. If its not charging at all, I doubt you will get 5 hours from your battery, more like 30-45mins.

**DazBlackCSL** · 13-03-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawsy

Just get a multimeter, put it on volts across your battery, run your car and it should rise from the 11-12v not running to 13-14v when running. This will tell you if its charging or not. If its not charging at all, I doubt you will get 5 hours from your battery, more like 30-45mins.

Only issue is, as you can see in the pics, no garage solutions and car round the side in bays with no electric anywhere near so not as easy as that...

Which one do you use out of interest ?

Ta

s.mac · 13-03-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

and yes lost the splutter now

13-03-2010, 06:12 PM	#1
DazBlackCSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Shaboogling Posts: 7,199 Casino cash: $28478	Dreaded Red Battery light Quick question, this is a bit weird and not the usual thing that happens when the light appears and the Alternator is a dead duck etc ( it might be ) So for over a year now, the light has come and gone, not that much on, and only for a few miles then goes out. Started about year ago, and over that time been on and off 4/5 times, and remember I drive it every single day and normally 30 miles + each time so no short journeys, involving M4 and some country twistys. BUT last night when pulling off the M4 it appeared and did not go out, have spent most of the day, giving it some TLC with the bucket... and when finished thought id spin round the block for 15/20 mins to see if I could shake the light out .. but not this time So what's your thoughts on this, I have decided not to use it now, and will after 9am on monday call BM emergency recovery / service and get it into the stealer... it says not to use it when the light is on as it could overheat, and as the light has never stayed on for more than 5/10 mins, not been able to take it to them as it's running fine and with no battery light on So all a bit strange, as everyone else ive spoken to and seen post's about this, has just broken down and come to a halt after light appears and gets the Bat / Alternator etc replaced under warranty. any ideas chaps and chapette __________________ CSL Register Lifestyle Coach and Social Secretary

13-03-2010, 06:28 PM	#3
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,646 Casino cash: $43909	could be a belt loose this time as i think when alternator goes you only get 4-5 hours before the car grinds to a halt __________________ .

13-03-2010, 06:33 PM	#4
DazBlackCSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Shaboogling Posts: 7,199 Casino cash: $28478	And some pics of todays little tickle up ! Nice day to spend outside giving it some TLC tho... rather be driving it __________________ CSL Register Lifestyle Coach and Social Secretary

13-03-2010, 06:28 PM	#2
s.mac CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 4,247 Casino cash: $15600	mine was on and off just like yours Daz for a year, no problems including track days and it was on and off all the time, not just a few times like you mentioned. No problems at all but Murketts changed the alternator under warranty when it was in recently. BTW Is the car running better ?