I hope someone can point me in the right direction with this, as I don't want to be buying a new alternator unnecessarily.
Over the last few days, for no apparent reason, the alternator charge light has started randomly flashing sometimes 5-6 times then stays extinguished, then will do it again.
There is no regularity to this, it sometimes does it when car is warmed up, sometimes from cold.
I have checked battery voltage and alternator output and while its fairly stable it does dip to around 10volts occasionally. I firstly put this down to me perhaps moving the multimeter probes, but I'm fairly happy I've ruled this out.
I've gone through the electrical testing guide that gets mentioned a lot, which over 2 or 3 repetitions gives variable results. Not helpful I know.
Current alternator looks to have done around 40,000 miles since around 2008.
The alternator fault message has appeared and then extinguished maybe 4 times in the last week.
Now with some logic applied, I'm suspecting either voltage regulator, or brushes, maybe slip rings, does anyone agree? I must add it seems to be getting more regular over the last couple of days.
(I know, most of you will now be saying "He's answered this for himself", but I'm not absolutely confident I'm correct)
Now the final bit, do I visit an auto electricians and see if they can rebuild my existing alternator, or do I bite the bullet and drive to Island 4x4 in the morning for a new alternator?
Over the last few days, for no apparent reason, the alternator charge light has started randomly flashing sometimes 5-6 times then stays extinguished, then will do it again.
There is no regularity to this, it sometimes does it when car is warmed up, sometimes from cold.
I have checked battery voltage and alternator output and while its fairly stable it does dip to around 10volts occasionally. I firstly put this down to me perhaps moving the multimeter probes, but I'm fairly happy I've ruled this out.
I've gone through the electrical testing guide that gets mentioned a lot, which over 2 or 3 repetitions gives variable results. Not helpful I know.
Current alternator looks to have done around 40,000 miles since around 2008.
The alternator fault message has appeared and then extinguished maybe 4 times in the last week.
Now with some logic applied, I'm suspecting either voltage regulator, or brushes, maybe slip rings, does anyone agree? I must add it seems to be getting more regular over the last couple of days.
(I know, most of you will now be saying "He's answered this for himself", but I'm not absolutely confident I'm correct)
Now the final bit, do I visit an auto electricians and see if they can rebuild my existing alternator, or do I bite the bullet and drive to Island 4x4 in the morning for a new alternator?
