Not sure if anyone can help but started out with a problem Monday whereby engine wouldn't turn (problem was that I was 80 miles from home!) - suspected knackered battery. Started with a booster pack and away I went. After 20 miles or so I noticed that engine was idleing at 800 rpm rather than 400 rpm and when the fan was about to cut in, all lights on dash would come on as if it was cutting out and then immediately come back on again - at this point also noticed that the fan didn't cut it where it should have.
Next thing I noticed was that I couldn't even charge a phone through the cigarette lighter! I pulled over, switched off ignition and then nothing! I phoned the AA and as suspected they diagnosed a knackered battery and sold me one for £106 on the spot! Started up and away I went, 30 miles later and exactly the same problems were happening, including flickering random lights on dash when fan was due to cut in, inability to charge phone, very slow windscreen wipers, high idleing speed etc. Limped home, switched off, and wouldn't turn over again (bearing in mind a brand new battery had been fitted 50 miles ago!). Phoned them back up, they came out and now diagnosed a faulty alternator - charging at approx 12.2V. Could a reading of this level indicate a knackered alternator - bearing in mind it couldn't even power a phone. While I understand I should be looking at about 14V, could 12.2V indicate all of the lack of electricity in the car!
Many thanks as always.
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Topic: Alternator? (Read 448 times)