Alternator problem?

[MartynShaw]

Hi
2017 Boxer PVC, battery light on, 11.5V on the battery when running and it doesn't go up when I rev it. Could it be anything other than the alternator?
Thanks
Martyn

 

[denisejoe]

Could be a fuse

 

[jongood]

Hi
2017 Boxer PVC, battery light on, 11.5V on the battery when running and it doesn't go up when I rev it. Could it be anything other than the alternator?
Thanks
Martyn

check battery terminals are tight and earth strap intact but sounds a bit like alternator

 

[ChrisL]

If you can get to the back of the alternator then measure the voltage from the terminal the thick cable is bolted to and earth if that is okay then it may be a faulty connection or a loose fuse, if your still getting under 12 volts it is most likely your alternator.

 

[gus-lopez]

Most bosch,magnetti,marelli dealers hare have a meter that tells you if the alternator is working.surely a uk dealer would have the same?

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[MartynShaw]

If you can get to the back of the alternator then measure the voltage from the terminal the thick cable is bolted to and earth if that is okay then it may be a faulty connection or a loose fuse, if your still getting under 12 volts it is most likely your alternator.

I've had a look underneath, I think I recognise an alternator but I can't see the thick wire on it.
I think it will just have to go to the garage tomorrow :-(.

 

[GeoffnDee]

Hi
2017 Boxer PVC, battery light on, 11.5V on the battery when running and it doesn't go up when I rev it. Could it be anything other than the alternator?
Thanks
Martyn

Alternator drive belt faulty / missing ?

 

[PP Bear]

I’ve had this twice on my van, alternator light on, no output. I ended up doing no more than disconnecting the battery earth terminal, leaving for 10 mins and refitting and both times the light went out and the alternator was charging. Hasn’t happened for a while since the second disconnect.
Good luck

 

[Just smiffy]

My first guess would have been the belt has gone…

 

[Just smiffy]

I’ve had this twice on my van, alternator light on, no output. I ended up doing no more than disconnecting the battery earth terminal, leaving for 10 mins and refitting and both times the light went out and the alternator was charging. Hasn’t happened for a while since the second disconnect.
Good luck

I take it that you did that because you could see the belt was ok…?

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[MartynShaw]

I’ve had this twice on my van, alternator light on, no output. I ended up doing no more than disconnecting the battery earth terminal, leaving for 10 mins and refitting and both times the light went out and the alternator was charging. Hasn’t happened for a while since the second disconnect.
Good luck

I can't think of a reason for this working. I did take the earth off the battery to clean the connection (although I don't think there is a mechanism for this being the problem) and for some odd reason the alarm went off. It didn't cure the problem.

 

[MartynShaw]

My first guess would have been the belt has gone…

I dropped it off at a garage, we'll see what they say in the morning. Even the belt is hard to get at.

 

[ChrisL]

I can't think of a reason for this working. I did take the earth off the battery to clean the connection (although I don't think there is a mechanism for this being the problem) and for some odd reason the alarm went off. It didn't cure the problem.

Any resistance in a circuit would cause a voltage drop, the greater the resistance the greater the voltage drop.

 

[MartynShaw]

Any resistance in a circuit would cause a voltage drop, the greater the resistance the greater the voltage drop.

True of course. But I took voltage readings on the terminals as well as directly on the battery and no difference.

 

[Linda farley]

Hi
2017 Boxer PVC, battery light on, 11.5V on the battery when running and it doesn't go up when I rev it. Could it be anything other than the alternator?
Thanks
Martyn

Sounds like the alternator. Our battery light came on when going to the ferry. Had to turn round and get it fixed. Bite the bullet or face a world of pain!!

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[PP Bear]

I take it that you did that because you could see the belt was ok…?

I knew the belt was fine and on the first occasion I searched out of curiosity, the cost of a replacement alternator. Then went and did my checks, nothing noticeable, so removed the earth as mentioned and all was fine when I refitted it. Happened twice, only the second time I just did the earth terminal and all was fine again. Hasn’t had a blimp since which was around 5 years ago…….hope I haven’t put my on it now, as I’m heading to Northumberland on Saturday for a couple of weeks

 

[Just smiffy]

I knew the belt was fine and on the first occasion I searched out of curiosity, the cost of a replacement alternator. Then went and did my checks, nothing noticeable, so removed the earth as mentioned and all was fine when I refitted it. Happened twice, only the second time I just did the earth terminal and all was fine again. Hasn’t had a blimp since which was around 5 years ago…….hope I haven’t put my on it now, as I’m heading to Northumberland on Saturday for a couple of weeks

Have a good trip Eddie, and post some pictures if you see anything interesting…

 

[MartynShaw]

Hi
2017 Boxer PVC, battery light on, 11.5V on the battery when running and it doesn't go up when I rev it. Could it be anything other than the alternator?
Thanks
Martyn

Sorted!
"Trace fault on alternator to connectors being corroded. Clean up and test :-OK", £54.
I think we got away lightly with that, and a nice local garage that did it the next day.
Thanks for all your suggestions.
Martyn