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[OMEGA VXR]

I noticed last night and this morning that all of my lights inside and out were flashing its a type of flash where it goes from bright to dull it does it for about 20 seconds.I came to my car about 10 minutes ago and it did the same again!

It doesnt matter if the car is running or not,ive not had any trouble like this before, could it be my battery? it is 4 years old now or could it be my alternator?

everything works as it should i put everything on thats electric and all is fine.

Can anyone help?

Thanks

Lee

[Marks DTM Calib]

I would guess at alternator.....have a look at this maintenance guide..

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1153772945

Its worth measuring the battery voltage with the engine running to get an exact diagnosis.....as it may be th regulator or simply the contact described in the abvoe guide.

[OMEGA VXR]

Sounds possible then doesnt it looking at the thread.
thankyou mark.
If i do need any parts for the alternator does VX stock them?

[Marks DTM Calib]

No but, you can get the regs and brushes etc on line.....but you need to see the internals to get the part number.

[Abiton]

Great maintenance guide, that.

I wonder what proportion of alternator replacements have been done unnecessarily because of not seeing that/cleaning that contact?!

[Markjay]

Great maintenance guide, that.

I wonder what proportion of alternator replacements have been done unnecessarily because of not seeing that/cleaning that contact?!

I suspect no more than the number of ECUs and head gaskets that have been replaced unnecessarily…

[OMEGA VXR]

Excellent thread,now Im confident to strip it tonight and check all componants, while im doing that im going to renew the aux belt,should i go for a genuine VX?

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes, there cheap enough...

[TheBoy]

Excellent thread,now Im confident to strip it tonight and check all componants, while im doing that im going to renew the aux belt,should i go for a genuine VX?

I would, based on the fact that the ones supplied by autovaux lately appear to be a fraction short, causing extra load on tensioner...

Check the tensioner pulley for bearing wear, and replace if necessary...

[Marks DTM Calib]

Its a 2.0 and the pulley isnt avaiable without the tensioner on these....

[TheBoy]

Its a 2.0 and the pulley isnt avaiable without the tensioner on these....

Well spotted  

[OMEGA VXR]

Took apart the alternator yesterday and the two mating contacts were fine no corrosion whatsoever the brushes looked fine too,put it all back together with the new aux belt and im still getting the flashing!

So what would you recomend now? New battery? or just go for new brushes?

[Matchless]

Get a volt meter on it, I suspect that the voltage regulator is faulty, there is an in-built current limit mechanism which turns off the alternator output if the safe o/p current is exceeded, it then turns back on again around 1-2 seconds later which gives the pulsation you are seeing.
Idle should be around 13V, rising to 14V at 2k ish, should be constant at constant speed and when all lights, HRW etc are on should still hold 14V ish but will need more rpm.
If the voltmeter is pulsating to over 15V then the regulator is fubar and you need to get it fixed before it cooks your battery and the various ECUs.

[OMEGA VXR]

Had RAC out and they have tested all the above. Everything was fine. The car was running for 30mins with everything on lights heater etc. and all seems to be ok. Multi metre readings were 13v to 14v Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Matchless]

Is it still pulsing?
If so, was it doing it when the RAC guy was there and did he see any voltage fluctuations....(or was he using a digital meter)