UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

I was driving down the road when my battery light desided to come on out the blue, anyway i pulled up to my lock up and got out to undo the gate got back in to find the steering was heavy and had a light on the dash. The car died shortly after ad was just clicking as you turnt the key. Is the power steering electric and could this be the alternator causing the problem??

Yeah mate sounds like alternator, other than on a ford the battery light usually means alternator isn't charging unfortunately

Yeh as i say it just come on all of a sudden whilst driving down the road, ill have to do a bit of shopping for an alternator i suppose. Thanks for the reply

Can you ask for a golf 1.8t alternatoer or a leon alternator or does it have to be for the polo?

Get it off and get it tested first, I got lucky with just a diode pack
As for the Leon I'm not sure, if its off the 180 1.8t and its 120amp I can't see why not

Is it an easy job to get it out or is it a bit of a pain. If so whats involved do you have to take the bumper off??. Would it easyer to get it out from the top or bottom of the car??

From the top and once the bumper and head light out it was easy enough 3x13mm bolts hold the alternator and 3 for the tensioner
To take bumper off is a combo of 30 and 25 torx
Screws Along the top then pull grille out
Screws under where the grille was
Screws along front of wheel arch and one either side going trough bumper into wing
A tab under fog light covers clips into front panel
Screws and clips underneath
It's that straight forward

Yeh it dont sound to bad i will try and have a go of it the weekend. thanks for the help and advice