Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Robin Hood on 19 August 2009, 16:32:09

Title: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Robin Hood on 19 August 2009, 16:32:09
Just under 2 hours ago my battery light came on while  going on holiday in North Yorkshire.  30 miles later, I'm at the traffic lights in Pickering and loose all dials and power etc.  I am now at my destination having had a tow the last 10 miles.

Am I right to assume that this is the alternater (replaced/reconditioned 2 years ago) or could there be something simpler that I can check?  I have limited tools here and a begged internet connection.

Would a full charged battery get me the 120 home without alternater, aircon and radio etc...?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 19 August 2009, 16:36:38
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Just under 2 hours ago my battery light came on while  going on holiday in North Yorkshire.  30 miles later, I'm at the traffic lights in Pickering and loose all dials and power etc.  I am now at my destination having had a tow the last 10 miles.

Am I right to assume that this is the alternater (replaced/reconditioned 2 years ago) or could there be something simpler that I can check?  I have limited tools here and a begged internet connection.

Would a full charged battery get me the 120 home without alternater, aircon and radio etc...?

Thanks.

In short no!  Once the alternator goes the car soon drains whatever is in the battery very quickly :o :o.

The alternator does appear to be your problem :'( :'(
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: platty on 19 August 2009, 16:49:18
Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH  :y
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Lazydocker on 19 August 2009, 16:50:00
Where in North Yorkshire are you? I'm coming up on Friday and may, depending on other commitments over the weekend, be able to have a look but certainly sounds like the alternator.
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Lazydocker on 19 August 2009, 16:50:40
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Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH  :y

Would have thought that the recovery bloke would have checked that :-/ :-/
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Andy B on 19 August 2009, 16:52:18
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Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH  :y

Yes!
But loss of power steering and water pump might also be noticed.  :-/  ;)
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Lazydocker on 19 August 2009, 16:53:40
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Quote
Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH  :y

Yes!
But loss of power steering and water pump might also be noticed.  :-/  ;)

Was my thought too ;) ;) ;)

How much of a pain is a V6 alternator to change? Can't remember!
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Andy B on 19 August 2009, 16:58:26
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Quote
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Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH  :y

Yes!
But loss of power steering and water pump might also be noticed.  :-/  ;)

Was my thought too ;) ;) ;)

How much of a pain is a V6 alternator to change? Can't remember!

Never done one, but Scottie & I discussed the very same thing yesterday when his heads were coming off. It looks to be a right Royal PITA to remove.  :-?
 ;)  ;)
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Lazydocker on 19 August 2009, 17:47:19
Quote
Quote
Quote
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Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH  :y

Yes!
But loss of power steering and water pump might also be noticed.  :-/  ;)

Was my thought too ;) ;) ;)

How much of a pain is a V6 alternator to change? Can't remember!

Never done one, but Scottie & I discussed the very same thing yesterday when his heads were coming off. It looks to be a right Royal PITA to remove.  :-?
 ;)  ;)

Oh arse ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Robin Hood on 19 August 2009, 19:17:51
Thanks, as I feared.  It's not actually a hard job - I've done it before, but getting hold of the tools/parts etc might be. 

Thanks for the offer Lazydocker.  I'm at Farwath, 8 miles North of Pickering on the steam railway track.   Fortunately we do actually have friends coming up from Nottingham, to join us on Friday and so could get him to bring a few bits.

In the meantime I'll try the farm next door for tools.

Thanks and will keep you posted.

Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: feeutfo on 19 August 2009, 20:33:09
have done an alternator on previous v6 and personally found it bloody awkward. Its only 2 bolts and the connections but access the nuts at the back as a right pain imho. Took 2 of us one for the bolts at the front and one for nuts as the back with arms up through stearing/subframe and various gubbins in the way. Nuts really should be captive was my main swear iirc.

Vx did an exchange service at the time but not sure if they still do, they even delivered it but i was only round the corner.
They where not the cheapest on actual part price but with the correct info on their system for getting the right one( factors wanted to know pulley sizes and outputs and all sorts)and a major return when the old one was exchanged, vx turned out to be best option, at the time anyway, 2 years ago now. Seem to remember a warranty as well?
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Ian_D on 19 August 2009, 23:32:09
Im in York if I can be of any help at all!  :y
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Robin Hood on 20 August 2009, 12:03:07
Thanks also for the offer of help Ian, much appreaciated, but I may be OK.   :y

I've now got the car over at the farm and have just got the old alternator off (ring spanner over the rear nuts and torx socket on the front bolts - but did need to get at the bottom nut from below).

Next stop a search of the how2's, I remember a guide somewhere on servicing.  See what's wrong with it as it is very noisey.
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Matchless on 20 August 2009, 13:40:29
Noise will be bearings, ignore it until you get home then Mark or I can put new bearings in.
Low or no output is usually a corroded connection between the regulator and the coils, its a sort of bent copper sprung loop, clean up the contact faces with a bit of fine emery etc then refit and see if it works. If its still dead then it is likely to be a failed regulator (unusual)
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Robin Hood on 20 August 2009, 20:27:30
Thanks Pete - opened it up and contacts were still good.

Cleaned them anyway but still no joy.  Will try and sorce a replacement tomorrow.   :(
Title: Re: Battery Light while on A1
Post by: Robin Hood on 25 August 2009, 09:51:38
A big thank you to all posts and offers of help – got back to Nottingham last night.   :y

Ordered the replacement alternator from Vauxhall dealer (trade club) Friday.  Friends took me to collect Saturday and fitted Sunday.  Was a little worried driving back Monday with fan, HIDs, wipers etc all on but no problems.   :)