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[Entwood]

Yep, came on bright. Bing!

No flickering at all, like last time.


... Nobody is saying battery though, as we noticed the voltage was a little low last calibration...?

The battery light on means the battery is feeding the system not the alternator .. so the battery is actually doing all the work .. it will  fail .. but it hasn't yet ....

If the battery voltage was low last time you examined it .. that might have been because the alternator was starting to fail and putting less than optimal back into the battery ??

[Seth]

Dodgy earthing?

Try connecting a jump lead from the negative battery clamp to a good secure point on the engine, such as a manifold nut etc. See if the warning light goes out!

 

[Andy H]

Yep, came on bright. Bing!

No flickering at all, like last time.


... Nobody is saying battery though, as we noticed the voltage was a little low last calibration...?

Regulator and/or brushes have probably been below par for some time.

I changed the main beam lamps in my car several months before the alternator failure because they seemed yellow compared to the HID dip lamps. With a new regulator the main beams are nearly the same colour as the HIDs

The battery is bound to be a bit low on charge, how low depends on how gradual the decline of the old regulator has been

[Lazydocker]

As said, battery light is triggered by voltage difference between battery and alternator (normally)

[dbug]

When the battery light came on on the Estate it managed 11 miles (at night with headlights on) before it died completely - fortunately my partner just reached her destination.  She phoned me and I went out, not even enough charge left for central locking.  Called recovery, and when they arrived, diagnosis of faulty alernator confirmed.  Fired it up with my boost pack and drove it onto recovery vehicle.  Needed to do same at home to drive it off and into my drive (bonnet open and boost pack still attached).  Charged battery, replaced alernator, all ok and no issues since.

Would have thought it foolish to attempt to drive a car with battery light on some 30+ miles at night - get it recovered.

[Kevin Wood]

I am not one to normally question KW as he is a font of knowledge, but I'd suggest 20miles without the assistance of an Alternator, even with a perfect battery at night would be impossible.

It was possible, just, and my battery is the original 10 year old job and I suspect a little worse for wear.

I drove home in the wet and dark, everything not essential was turned off. Got away with just sidelights as much as I could and flicked the wipers only when needed. I did have Taxi Al following, though. Not sure I'd have risked it without.

You have a 65Ah battery, and about 30 minutes driving. Probably about 15 or 20 Amps load with just the essentials powered-up so it is do-able if you start with a fully charged battery and are careful. If you get stuck in traffic and the radiator fans come on, you are completely screwed! That's what did for mine, just as I was turning into my driveway.

I would say, if you have recovery, don't risk it, just get towed. Otherwise, charge it from another car for as long as you can - at least 30 Mins, to give yourself the best chance, and get someone to follow in case you need a top-up. Limped Emma's old Fiesta back from Abingdon like this once. It made it on a single charge, but was a bit more basic than an Omega!

[Lazydocker]

I drove my diesel cavalier from Heathrow to Basingstoke with a duff alternator and a spare battery to swap in part way. Actually, drove in the following afternoon and home again in the early hours the following day too due to no stock But I had batteries on charge so fully charged and diesels have a much lower draw once running

[Entwood]

I'm guessing that Chris doesn't have the recovery option, or he wouldn't be asking the question ....

Can you borrow a spare, charged battery to swap half way home if needs be 

[Lazydocker]

I'm guessing that Chris doesn't have the recovery option, or he wouldn't be asking the question ....

Can you borrow a spare, charged battery to swap half way home if needs be 

I'd guess he's on his way now... Hopefully he's not going to see bad weather and gets a clear run.

[feeutfo]

Home now. Piece if piss. Didn't skip a beat.


Jump leads for a while then went for it. Electrics seem fine, although the alarm went off moving mine nearer to Dads merc. Which reminds me, it did exactly the same thing on Boxing Day morning after a lay up of 3 days. Power sounder went off for 30seconds, couldn't turn it off. Presume its seeing low battery voltage and thinks the battery is being disconnected or whatever.

Battery is a "go" job with a very very black indicator.

Where do I get a regulator from for these alternaters? I have a spare alternator somewhere, so will recon my one while its off the car if possible.

[feeutfo]

I'm guessing that Chris doesn't have the recovery option, or he wouldn't be asking the question ....

Can you borrow a spare, charged battery to swap half way home if needs be 

yes I have AA cover. But they can pick up from anywhere, so may as well be hard shoulder as side street IMO.

Although I see your points re hazards failed etc.

Two traffic coppers didn't bat an eye at side lights. Or the slightly excessive speed either. Must admit I didn't expect to see any coppers at all, haven't for ages on traffic duty.

[feeutfo]

Just a word of thanks to Radar btw.

Turned my phone on this morning ,after the battery died at the crucial moment last night, and was quite touched to find texts and voice mail from him offering a jump start if needed.

What a true gent.

Thankyou to Radar.

H and Chris. 

[RobG]

Where do I get a regulator from for these alternaters?

This seller on the bay stocks them Chris, will need to find the Bosch number on yours then cross-check
m.u.r.e

[feeutfo]

Thanks Rob, are all 3.2 alternators the same?


the spare I have is off an mv6 3.2. Customer spec. Will that part number do.?

[feeutfo]

I need to get a meter on it later, but could the fix be as simple as this dodgy contact shown in the bottom pic?

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90512.0