Battery light on dashboard

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DC_BS
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Battery light on dashboard

Post by DC_BS »

For about a week I've noticed a squeaking/rubbing noise coming from under the bonnet, and I'm pretty sure its one of the belts. Only makes a loud squeak when I've stopped, not really when I'm moving.

Today after giving it a good rev some dust came out and it stopped for a bit but I think one of the belts broke as the warning light came on for the battery, so I'm assuming its the belt that charges it?

Am I ok to charge this in the meantime with a battery charger to keep it running but I have to replace one of the belts, i.e aux or alternator?

Any idea on how much I'm looking at to get this fixed? If its just a belt I can't imagine it'll be that much.
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alexperkins
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by alexperkins »

You need to replace it as soon as possible. The battery will discharge very quickly otherwise with the engine running

This belt also drives the air con if fitted and power steering pump

A new belt is about £20 plus 10-15 mins to fit it
DC_BS
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by DC_BS »

Ok, I don't plan on driving it until its been fixed.

Is it the aux belt or the serpentine belt whatever its called? I had the cambelt changed in 2015 which had a new aux belt so I'd be surprised if it was that.

And the cost isn't too bad I thought I'd be stung again!
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alexperkins
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by alexperkins »

Yes itll be the aux belt

Otherwise, it could be a failed alternator

Cambelt they dont normally change the aux belt at the same time unless requested
DC_BS
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by DC_BS »

Hmm, I'd expect a new aux belt to last longer than 2 years!! I had that changed when doing the cambelt as the existing one had a different tooth layout and was installed after the previous owner broke down and happened to have it whilst with someone else. (That's the story anyway).

If its not that though then it could be a new alternator is needed which is going to cost more to replace.
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by DC_BS »

*UPDATE

Its the actual alternator pulley that's shot, I'm hoping the alternator itself is fine, originally thought it was just the aux belt but its the pulley as well. Explains why the battery ain't accepting the charge.
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alexperkins
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by alexperkins »

Interesting. What's failed on it exactly?
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by DC_BS »

Well I know the aux belt has snapped so something must have got caught in it (driving through rocky roads maybe). Got no idea what happened to the pulley, the cost won't be as high as replacing the alternator I hope.
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by DC_BS »

Alternator was discovered to be knackered so getting that reconditioned, apparently cheaper than buying a new one off the shelf.
Aux belt and alternator pulley to be fitted as they're separate parts.
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alexperkins
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by alexperkins »

A brand new Alternator from GSF with their weekend offer works out to not much more than £100 with a full warranty
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by DC_BS »

I don't know where my mechanic gets his parts from, but he said to recondition it would be cheaper than swapping it out for an off-the-shelf one. The turnaround would be longer but I'd b e saving up to £200 he said.

What is involved in reconditioning an alternator?
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alexperkins
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by alexperkins »

Normally it needs to go to a specialist to have the coils rewound, and all the bearings replaced
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by DC_BS »

Sounds about right, said he'd be picking it up tomorrow to strip out engine and send it off.

Would it last just as long as a new one swapped straight over?
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by alexperkins »

Yes, providing its been done properly.
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Re: Battery light on dashboard

Post by DC_BS »

Well if saves me money then I might as well, this mechanic is a friend of my neighbour, and genuinely wants to fix motors without ripping people off! Other ones would have just said the highest price option.

So til we get the reconditioned alternator back the pulley and new aux belt are waiting to be fitted, and hopefully all will be back working again by next week.
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