not charging

J · Post by J » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:46 pm

well i started the car up this arvo and it seamed fine, drove around for 5 mins and then the battery light came up and it was preety much out of bat.

And while i was driving it didnt charge one bit. So i got home turned it off and tried to start it again and it wont start now. I fiddle with the leads aswell thinking it might spark it up but still no startup.

Anyone have anyclues what it could be? New battery time?

FTEvolution · Post by **FTEvolution** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:49 am

Got a multimeter?

Was it out of battery while driving? As in died while running? If so, it is the alternator. Will probably also need a new battery so grab that first just in case.

Battery only there to start the car, once running the alternator keeps the electrics going and charges the battery for next start (in a nutshell). So if the alternator is dying, the car won't stay running (dimming headlights, illumination dim etc etc)...

Fun times when you are on a motorway

Post by **Bennoz** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:19 am

Yeah, could also be bad earth or sh*tty battery terminal connections.

J · Post by J » Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:49 am

ok i tried to start the car this morning (after it died last night) and it ran for 20 mins then just stoped.

So i guess it somehow recharged itself a bit overnight

???

Anyone recomend a good battery?

J · Post by J » Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:22 pm

ok a bit of an update. Jacked the car up and found something hanging from the bottom of it.

It was the belt running to the altenator which was ripped to shreds and literally hanging by a thread.

Where can i get a replacement. And would this job be easy enough for me to do myself or would i need to tow it to a mech?

Post by **Bennoz** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:43 pm

http://www.ftoaustralia.com/modules.php ... ic&t=17945

J · Post by J » Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:12 pm

thanks mate

Jamie · Post by **Jamie** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:24 pm

A bit late as you already found the problem but I was going to say dont run out and buy a battery as the opposite can happen too. The alternator dies and the car runs on the battery untill it loses charge. Anyway lucky it was the belt though, its the cheapest component to replace out of the 3.

J · Post by J » Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:46 pm

Jamie wrote:A bit late as you already found the problem but I was going to say dont run out and buy a battery as the opposite can happen too. The alternator dies and the car runs on the battery untill it loses charge. Anyway lucky it was the belt though, its the cheapest component to replace out of the 3.

Thats exactly what i thought when i pulled the belt out LOL. I'll run down to autobarn/repco 2morow, had to cal in sick today