Intermittent battery warning light

[bonfirealison]

Hi
My 206cc battery light has started coming on whilst driving, not every time, but getting more frequent. First few times it was ok it just went off again, then it wouldn't start. Just clicking, nothing else. Battery power appeared to be ok as lights weren't dimming. However it would start with jump leads. Husband suspected alternator so replaced that at weekend. This morning it has done it again, came on and went out twice on way to work. It did start again after I stopped though. We'll try new battery tonight but I don't think it'll do any good. Any further thoughts from you nice people

[Capncol]

Try checking charge rate with multimeter.

[IanL]

It would not be the first time a replacement alternator was defective.

Just in case, how do you check the charge rate? Do you install a shunt, or do you mean just measure the voltage?

[Capncol]

Simply measuring voltage across battery- running V resting voltage. You can test it under load by switching on heater fan/lights/Heated screen etc:

[bonfirealison]

Thanks, will try that tonight

[Biggod]

Hi. Just wondering if you ever got this sorted?? The same thing has been happening to my 2005 2.0 hdi. The battery light would come on every now and again whilst driving then I changed the very weak battery. 2 days later the car struggled starting, headlights started flashing, got it to a mechanic and he said it was the earth strap and the high pressure fuel pump was not getting any power either as it simply wouldn't start. So I got the car back today and it was fine all day. Then tonight the battery light came on a few times whilst driving. When i turn car off and on again it would go out again. Interested to here what fixed your motor...