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[Robin Hood]

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.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

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 .

The alternator does appear to be your problem

[platty]

Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH 

[Lazydocker]

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.

[Lazydocker]

Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH 

Would have thought that the recovery bloke would have checked that :-/ :-/

[Andy B]

Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH 

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

[Lazydocker]

Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH 

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!

[Andy B]

Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH 

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.  :-?
  

[Lazydocker]

Alternator belt? Would be my first port of call TBH 

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

[Robin Hood]

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.

[feeutfo]

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?

[Ian_D]

Im in York if I can be of any help at all! 

[Robin Hood]

Thanks also for the offer of help Ian, much appreaciated, but I may be OK.   

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.

[Matchless]

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)

[Robin Hood]

Thanks Pete - opened it up and contacts were still good.

Cleaned them anyway but still no joy.  Will try and sorce a replacement tomorrow.