Hi All,
Got my first Landy a couple of weeks ago. In generally good condition with a few mainly internal cosmetic issues to sort. First drive was the 70 miles back home following purchase and everything went smoothly. Only small oil leak from the rear diff. As I say its a 90 van but has had a replacement chassis 9 years ago, a replacement 200tdi engine 8 years ago and a replacement td5 bulkhead 7 years ago.
Ran for two weeks with no problems but a few days ago i noticed a very dim battery light on the dash when drawing more power (headlights on). Checked battery with digital multimeter and got 12.39v not running. Pretty much the same running and with revs. Drops to 11.9 or so under heating and lights use. Then a couple of days ago it wouldn't start. Laboured effort to turn and then just a few clicks from the starter then nothing. Battery out on charge, 8 hours charge got battery back to 12.35v, back in and she started fine once again.
Is this battery or alternator? Battery seems to hold 12.3v when not connected to system.

Any suggestions welcome.

Welcome to the mad house, personally I'd say it's the alternator on its way out as it should be closer to 14 volts with the engine running. Also look at getting some decent security on it before to long

Marmaduke said:

Welcome to the mad house, personally I'd say it's the alternator on its way out as it should be closer to 14 volts with the engine running. Also look at getting some decent security on it before to long

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Thanks duke. I was erring towards alternator as tested again this evening and after 24 attached to car battery still reading 12.3v started her up with no problem but voltage doesn't rise even under xx number of revs.
Got a bit o security but planning on more and over winter she might go in the garage. At the minute she has a Mercedes blocking her in, they are welcome to drive her over the top of that if they really want to take her but it would make for an interesting insurance claim!!

Thanks Duke.
Alternator it is. Shame I have got to drain the water system, remove the fan cowl to actually get in there.

Are you sure you have to drain it to remove the alternator? Mine's a 300tdi and I don't have to

No reason why you would need to drain it if its a 200tdi

Ok. So I have a full depth cowl around the fan that is bolted to the radiator with two water pipes coming over the cowl and into the radiator. I could just drain the coolant out of these pipes as they are at the top of the system. To move them out of the way to remove the cowl. But there is no way the cowl will come out with those pipes in place. The other route I guess is to remove the pipes running to the turbo from the air system and hope I have enough room to play with to get into the alternator from that angle. I can upload a pick if you want.