Power Issue

[xthe-stig]

Was driving to work yesterday morning in the snow, car started grand other than the usual noisy tappets, about 10km into my trip on the motorway the car started loosing all electrics, clocks went first than heaters then lights, went to pull in and as soon as the clutch was engaged lost engine power too.

The volt meter started off a 8v and on and off the last few days has been giving an 8v reading but as soon as i was driving and moving went to 12v, lifted the bonnet to check the terminals all good, by the time i got back into the car electrics were gradually coming back and after a few attempts she fired back to life.

Managed to get to work but every junction stop or time the clutch was engaged it took a throttle blip to stop the car from stalling, i'm aware the steeper can cause idle issues but i'm more concerned with the loss of electrics on the motorway

Any advice appreciated, has me and stewyd32 scratchin the heads

[Sebastian]

if your vold dial is below normal it means it's an alternator issue , check the belts.
If all okay and the volt meter is not showing somewhere in the area of 14v when the car is revved , it's more than likely an alternator problem .

[StewyD32]

Does that explain the stepper like issues as well?
That's what I'm confused about

[xthe-stig]

Have the battery out on charge and the stepper out and cleaned, once back in i'll test the alternator, belt seems tight hard to turn and does squel on cold or wet starts could this be the issue

[CJ]

Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery with the engine running, if the engine cuts out, the alternator is at fault. You choose to have it reconditioned (most likely rectifier needs replaced) or buy a recon direct from Camskill.

CJ

[xthe-stig]

Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery with the engine running, if the engine cuts out, the alternator is at fault. You choose to have it reconditioned (most likely rectifier needs replaced) or buy a recon direct from Camskill.

CJ

Cheers man, which would cost more camskills are around 130 sterling would would gettin my own done cost less

[xthe-stig]

Fully charged battery and cleaned stepper put in, car ran grand 14v the whole time, removed the negative terminal while running, car stayed running.

Allowed to fully heat up low idle below 500 rpm adjusted to around 900rpm, was it just the battery maybe

[xthe-stig]

Happened again this evening this time with the family on board, volt meter went all the way down with the battery warning light, engine stayed running but had to limp home with no lights.

I carried out the aternator test as described on here by removing the neg terminal while running and the car stayed running.

Could it just be the battery being fcuked in this cold weather or is there circumstances where the alternator test wouldn't show a problem

[steelroe]

I think the cold weather has shown up a really weak battery. I would suggest replacing it and reckon your problem will be solved.

[steelroe]

How is the acid levels in the battery cells

[xthe-stig]

Surprise surprise done the alternator test today and it failed strange that it didn't the last day. Anyone have one they are selling or know where I can pick one up in a hurry car kinda essential as I live a fair distance from work

[Sebastian]

Surprise surprise done the alternator test today and it failed strange that it didn't the last day. Anyone have one they are selling or know where I can pick one up in a hurry car kinda essential as I live a fair distance from work

camskill.co.uk

usually 2 days delivery .