Intermittent Battery Light

pesty · 10-16-2012, 11:14 AM

Hi All,

Of the last 2 days I would occasionally hear a bong but couldn't see any lights on the dash.

Now happening a bit more often and when it bongs the battery light stays on for a second or so.

guess what ran out a couple of weeks ago, That's right the warranty

Any ideas? I opened the bonnet to look for the alternator and a belt but couldn't see anything and gave up (modern engines grumble grumble)

I have a code reader but assuming its not much use in this case.

**paul@thecustom300cshop** · 10-16-2012, 11:19 AM

Have you checked the volt meter on the hidden menu?? as id say if the belt isnt slipping it would be the battery or alternator, do you have an alternator shield?

Alternator is located directly below the oil filler cap, take the plastic engine cover of to see better

**MADDOG** · 10-16-2012, 11:34 AM

And it may just be a bad connection to the battery as well. I'd load test the battery to see if it isn't failing, as well as the alternator.

Oh, on some versions of the EVIC menu you can scroll through to "Last Chime" and read why the car went "bong".

**Simon@thecustom300cshop** · 10-16-2012, 11:54 AM

If its a CRD its probably the alternator. If it hasn't got the shield and you have CUK service history you would stand a good chance of getting it done under goodwill if you give them some stick. How many miles on the car?

pesty · 10-16-2012, 12:23 PM

43k miles or so. Interesting that its juts below the oil filler.

it was serviced last week.

how do I get to the hiden volt meter?

**paul@thecustom300cshop** · 10-16-2012, 12:37 PM

Id take the engine cover off, and look for any oil runs and photo it if there is , the hidden menu is IIRC press and hold the compass and music button together for around 10 sec.

pesty · 10-17-2012, 02:56 PM

Well that will teach me.

Guess who got stranded on the M62 today

light that flicked on for a second or 2 every 50 miles decided to stay on perminently when I was 60 miles from home

Thats th problem when you have a work car full of gear. You canlt just get a lift or the bus to work.

No charge whatsoever coming from the alternator now

Rac man stuck a charged battery that got me home. Car is outside now on a trickle charger.

not sure what to do now, Im limited in how far I can drive and warranty ran out 3 weeks ago.

new alternator seem to be around £300. easy fit?

Armchair · 10-17-2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pesty

43k miles or so. Interesting that its juts below the oil filler.

it was serviced last week.

Was it serviced by a dealer in Coventry by any chance?

Not_Holden_ON · 10-17-2012, 05:14 PM

Familiar story. I ignored my battery light for about a week - until it come on permanently. The car shut down in stages, air con first, radio etc until it died on the side of the road, ironically on the way to Chrysler to get it looked at. I had 3 Alternators replaced under warranty in 3 years. The cost would have been around $2000.00 Aus each time. Apparently, so I was told, the engine needs to be moved sideways off its mounts to get the alternator out. I've only got 66000K's on my MY08 CRD but 3 alternators, 2 steering columns (sloppy) and 3 dashboards (lifted and cracked) under warranty is a lot. Its now out of warranty (Feb 2012) and fingers crossed there have been no drama's.

pesty · 10-17-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armchair

Was it serviced by a dealer in Coventry by any chance?

No a local place that has always been ok.

Was hoping to get down to stafford but was not working in that area for a month or so and i didn't want to run over the miles for the service.