Battery warning light - should I be worried?

Jabba · Post by **Jabba** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:55 am

Hiya

Ive just had my car serviced, which Im perfectly happy with. I havent used the car all weekend, just went out for a drive in it and the battery light came on, started bleeping and the lights on the dash. Drove it home to be on the safe side and it seemed ok, except the light was showing.

Stopped it, started it again, no light. Took it for another short drive and after about 5 miles the light popped on again. Should I be worried? or is it because Ive been having the roof of a lot lately and not used it over the weekend, does it just need to charge up a bit, through running it. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Mon May 07, 2007 12:40 pm

I don't think I'd just leave it. Sounds like a poor connection.

Maybe a connection has been disturbed while the car was being serviced which could mean that a poor contact is not allowing the alternator to charge the battery sufficiently while the engine is running.

I'd take the car back to whoever serviced it and tell them that the problem only started when they'd serviced it. They'll probably check battery, alternator, starter motor connections and find one loose, dirty, or cracked.

When you are raising or lowering the roof it is a good idea to keep the engine running. Otherwise you risk draining the battery. I never raise or lower mine with the engine off.

Ron

Jabba · Post by **Jabba** » Mon May 07, 2007 2:06 pm

OK thanks, I'll pop it in the garage tomorrow.

I'm not sure its a connection though cos its been running fine for the 2 weeks since the service. I dont use the roof unless the engines running either, the cars always on when I do the roof.
Ive just lowered it a lot the last few weeks, due to the sunshine. I think maybe its because I havent used it for 3-4 days and the batteries a bit run down.

But I'll get it checked out.

Thanks.

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Mon May 07, 2007 6:07 pm

Alternator belt? Internal fault in alternator?

Good luck. Hope you've got a trustworthy garage !!!

Ron

Jabba · Post by **Jabba** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:50 am

Ok thanks, yeah the garage I go to is spot on and reliable, been going there for years and never had a problem with them.

Drove it to work ok this morning, but the same thing happened, so I'll ring the garage/mechanic later and get it sorted.

I did remember driving over a very big pot-hole Friday night, it was as deep as the grand canyon, didnt think I was ever coming out of the other side of it... so maybe I knocked something loose?

thanks for your advice though.

Jabba · Post by **Jabba** » Thu May 10, 2007 3:58 pm

ok, just had the dreaded phone call. The power steering pump split/cracked and leeked all over the alternator which has blown it out. new pump costs 190, repairing the alternator 110, plus 4 hours labour and VAT, so its going to be an expensive weekend for me.

Plus to rub salt in the wound my insurance is due up on Sunday which is another 300quid on top. so altogether my CC's gonna cost me about 800+ this weekend.

so theres a warning to you guys, if your power steering fluid goes down, dont keep topping it up, get it sorted cos it'll cost u an arm and a leg.

im going to go and get very drunk!!!

(Still love my motor though!) - stupid pump!

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Thu May 10, 2007 4:09 pm

So "internal fault in alternator" was a correct diagnosis, but I'd never have guessed at the root cause being the steering pump.
A lesson learned here, as you say - the old proverb " a stitch in time saves nine" holds true.

Bad luck Jabba, at least you took it in while it was still running and didn't get stranded miles from home.
Hope somebody buys you a drink to get drunk - sounds as if all of your dosh will be going on the car for the next week or two.

Thanks for feeding back so fully on what was wrong.

Best Wishes,

Ron