Charging problems

[claire.major 0]

Hi

 

Only fourth post and problems already!!

 

Had a flat battery (interior light on!) so jumped the car from our daily and took it out for a drive to get some charge 5 - 10 miles and when I got back the battery had about a minutes life in it until it was completely flat.

Think it could be an alternator problem but wanted to check for any other ideas before i buy a new alternator!

 

Any suggestions what to check would be great help

 

Cheers

[W3RKD 0]

I would also test the battery.. I have seen a few faliures allready with the weather change.

[dr_mat 0]

How about doing some basic tests with a multimeter (£4 in maplins) before you spend £100 on a an alternator?

 

Engine running:

- 13-14V across the battery terminals means your alternator is fine.

 

Engine stopped:

- 12.6V across the battery terminals means your battery is fine (and fully charged).

- less than 11.75V across the battery terminals means your battery is fully discharged

- less than 11V means you have dry/dead cells - time to replace the battery

[Riley 0]

Aye 8)

 

May just be £10 quids worth of voltage regulator on the alternator...available from gsf or vw (bit more cash).

 

ps:to add to the above post,you want around 13.8v from the red lead on the alternator...much less and its a sign of a dead voltage regulator.

 

Neil.

[flusted 0]

also check for a dodgy earth strap