Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: knightsinaomega on 16 January 2008, 16:54:47

Title: problem with battery
Post by: knightsinaomega on 16 January 2008, 16:54:47
hi there, i have a 1998 auto omega, the problem is, the battery light is on all the time, the battery voltage before the lights were switched on was 14.5 when i switched them on it went down to 11 would this be the alternator or a battery that is going on gone? also for some unkown reason the car just cuts out. pleease could you help many thanks kate :y
Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: jules on 16 January 2008, 17:05:49
How long has the light been on ?

If it was the battery it probably would not start after a while.

If the light is indicating a charging fault (alternator) it will probable flatten the battery.

It could be that your alternator is putting oout less than the minimum required to the battery and thus the light is on, but just enought to keep a charge in the battery for restarting.
Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: Entwood on 16 January 2008, 17:05:55
Hi

I assume the V-belt drive to the alternator is OK ??

Next check the security/condition of the battery connections, and do they get hot whilst the engine is running ??

Are all fuses OK, especially the big ones by the battery ?

If these points ar OK and the voltage at the battery with the engine runing is less than about 13.5 you probably have a fubarred alternator
Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: knightsinaomega on 16 January 2008, 17:11:18
my word u guys know alot, better than that rac bloke that looked at it, all i got was mmmumble out of him lol. brilliant well i will have a look, the car fire's up ok, me personally i will get my hubb to stick his head in the bonnet and check on those things u suggested, so thank you guys :) also if it is the alternator do you think its ok to buy a second hand 1 if its sold by a proper company what do u think. thanks again  :)
Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 16 January 2008, 17:25:33
Quote
my word u guys know alot, better than that rac bloke that looked at it, all i got was mmmumble out of him lol. brilliant well i will have a look, the car fire's up ok, me personally i will get my hubb to stick his head in the bonnet and check on those things u suggested, so thank you guys :) also if it is the alternator do you think its ok to buy a second hand 1 if its sold by a proper company what do u think. thanks again  :)

You'll be fine with most used ones, and on a 2.0 they are not at all hard to fit... :)

Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: knightsinaomega on 16 January 2008, 17:28:32
brilliant, would you say its easy to get to, i've orderd a haynes book, just in case  ;D am i right in thinking a 70amp alternator is right or 100
Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 January 2008, 17:33:03
Quote
brilliant, would you say its easy to get to, i've orderd a haynes book, just in case  ;D am i right in thinking a 70amp alternator is right or 100

100 amp.....
Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: Kevin Wood on 16 January 2008, 18:57:41
Might be worth checking if the crimp where the thick cable from the engine connects to the battery positive terminal is loose while you're at it as this seems to be a common problem, but if the light is on, chances are the alternator is faulty.

Kevin
Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: Grumpy on 16 January 2008, 19:14:22
If it is the Alternator, then you may get away with cleaning
the corrosion off the spring contact inside the Alternator
and/or replacing the Regulator/Brush pack assembly.

Both jobs are cheap and easy to do. I had exactly the same
problem as you on an Audi Coupe, prior to getting the Omega,
and the Alternator was still working fine when I sold it after
cleaning up the internal contacts.
Marks DTM Calib has written a good guide on how to do it
on the Omega on the following link.

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1153772945
Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: Tony H on 16 January 2008, 19:31:48
Quote
my word u guys know alot, better than that rac bloke that looked at it, all i got was mmmumble out of him lol. brilliant well i will have a look, the car fire's up ok, me personally i will get my hubb to stick his head in the bonnet and check on those things u suggested, so thank you guys :) also if it is the alternator do you think its ok to buy a second hand 1 if its sold by a proper company what do u think. thanks again  :)
A good alternative to buying one second hand is to get a reconditioned one. they take your old one in exchange and they are way cheaper than buying new. They are obtainable from many motor factors
Title: Re: problem with battery
Post by: Andy B on 17 January 2008, 09:03:28
Quote
.....
A good alternative to buying one second hand is to get a reconditioned one. they take your old one in exchange and they are way cheaper than buying new. They are obtainable from many motor factors

As long as it's actually been refurb'd. :-? A tin of black paint can make the crappiest of alternators look new(er). I've fallen foul of this in the long & distant past and now get mine sorted if I have a problem.