Battery Light Dimly Lit While Driving ...

Tiree · 2018-12-16 18:32:23

Hmmm ..

This just started on Saturday morning there.

The battery light on the dash lights up periodically - pretty dimly.

I'm having trouble identifying any pattern to when it happens - although I *think* that it happens more at higher speeds / lower revs - eg, labouring the engine slightly while in 5th.

It could, however, be completely random. It may be worse while the lights are on.

My alternator was fitted three years ago - I think it was brand new - at very least it was refurb.

The voltage across the battery terminals, while ignition is off, is 12.72v

While idling, I get 14.37v

That drops to about 14.24v if I switch on the lights, fan etc.

I'm not really sure how these compare to the expected figures.

Anyone got any pointers?

I've driven over 200 miles with this issue with no apparent problems.

Just that red light popping up from time to time.

Any thoughts V welcome!

kenbw2 · 2018-12-16 19:40:54

Those voltages are exactly where I'd expect them to be. Could it be your fan belt slipping? Especially if it's cold/wet/damp

Last edited by kenbw2 (2018-12-16 19:41:56)

Tiree · 2018-12-16 23:01:34

Thanks Ken - good to know the numbers look right. I might see if I can monitor the voltages while driving as the light doesn't come on while idling ...

No noise from fan belt - but - it HAS been very cold/wet/damp this weekend!

How can I confirm if it's slipping?

Thanks again!

kenbw2 · 2018-12-16 23:30:44

You could look for wear marks on the belt, but I'm not sure how much you'd see.

Probably the best bet is to get a volt meter for your cigarette lighter - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vehicle-Batter … 07FW9HFK//

See if it drops when the light comes on

Last edited by kenbw2 (2018-12-16 23:31:49)

tee_cee · 2018-12-17 11:08:06

As well as checking the belt tension, have a look at the battery terminals for tightness/corrosion.

Casper · 2018-12-17 16:00:58

kenbw2 wrote:

You could look for wear marks on the belt, but I'm not sure how much you'd see.
Probably the best bet is to get a volt meter for your cigarette lighter - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vehicle-Batter … 07FW9HFK//
See if it drops when the light comes on

My money would be on belt also unless its a loose wire on the alternator somewhere. I have a couple of them battery voltage checkers and not sure if i fully trust them. I get a higher reading on the battery with the meter. You have power going to a lot of other areas when the van is running who would probably effect the reading. Does your fag lighter work with ignition off? If not you also wont get a true indication of the voltage when the van is not running as again power will be diverted to other areas. I got mine more to keep an aye on the charging system when away on trips as my poor old alternator is charging two battery's and TBH it looks like it may be on its last legs. Saying that i am putting two battery's in a leisure this year so i may just take the opportunity to upgrade it.

BTW a poor battery to chassis earth can also cause the light to flicker so worth cleaning all connections.

vaz2121 · 2018-12-19 03:04:15

Tiree wrote:

Hmmm ..
This just started on Saturday morning there.
The battery light on the dash lights up periodically - pretty dimly.
I'm having trouble identifying any pattern to when it happens - although I *think* that it happens more at higher speeds / lower revs - eg, labouring the engine slightly while in 5th.
It could, however, be completely random. It may be worse while the lights are on.
My alternator was fitted three years ago - I think it was brand new - at very least it was refurb.
The voltage across the battery terminals, while ignition is off, is 12.72v
While idling, I get 14.37v
That drops to about 14.24v if I switch on the lights, fan etc.
I'm not really sure how these compare to the expected figures.
Anyone got any pointers?
I've driven over 200 miles with this issue with no apparent problems.
Just that red light popping up from time to time.
Any thoughts V welcome!

This sounds very familier... Partners 307 HDI at the time would have the faintest glow on the battery light on occasion .... All voltage numbers were good and battery never went flat.......It could and did run like this for ages... I'm going to say since we bought ...... But it could go for ages/ months without glowing inappropriatly.......
It only seemed to glow when dark but unsure if it glowed during day time as I never seen it, I think day light was too bright for it.........

Anyway Sorry I never found exactly...... what was wrong with it as I sold it when it was in bits during a clutch change /issue and the cost of a replacement alternator was not a priority at ther time...........
I was told change alternator but as it was pumping out 14.3 V (I was told many things to with it some more polite than others) I procrastinated....... I during these discussions and have since been told I should make sure all terminals areas are clean as it's TECHY using the original shi**Y terminal flip type conectors and poor connections cause high resistance.......
On the alternator front rather than swap alternator for another it could be the regulator that wants changed as it might be unable to maintain a steady voltage (and as you said seemed at higher speed.... providing to much voltage?)...
It was noticed that in the darkness the dim glow could increase in brightness to just about being iluminated and it would go out and a few miles later start glow cycle over again......
But anyway As I never had an auto electrician look at it before it went I never got a clear answer other than the "pie in the sky" ones (I do believe through grapevine it was cured but no idea how)

Last edited by vaz2121 (2018-12-19 03:08:07)

Tiree · 2018-12-19 11:35:47

Thanks so much for all the input folks!

I cleaned up the battery terminals with a wire brush and for the three short trips I've made since Sunday, the light hasn't come back on. There wasn't much to clean up to be honest but you never know.

Somehow though I doubt that will be the end of it and since I'm driving to Bristol & back shortly I thought I'd just fire it into the garage for them to check out the belt and the other usual suspects for this issue.

I've also ordered one of the lighter volt meters kenbw2 suggested - I should at least be able to see if voltage has changed if the light does come back on.

Will update once I'm back from the garage.

Cheers again all!

Casper · 2018-12-19 19:19:06

There should be a 2nd earth strap somewhere. Gearbox or starter to chassis. I say should but every motor i have had issues with has had one. Never had the need to look when i had the Pug.

Tiree · 2018-12-19 21:53:12

Well .. smile

The garage boys tested what you'd expect them to and everything came back clear ... and like me they were unable to replicate the issue.

So I went to collect the van, started it up and - you guessed it - battery light comes on dimly - getting brighter as I rev the van.

So I shouted one of the boys over and they came and had a look.

Then one of them sussed it - there's a tiny wire that comes from the alternator, which he referred to as the tell-tale wire, that goes to the light on the dash.

It ends in a plug that sits in a socket at the front of the alternator [I'll try to post a photo of it later].

Unplugged it, found a load of mush at the bottom of the socket, cleaned it with compressed air, plugged it back in ...

Bingo!

So what was essentially a minor sensor issue really did a good impression of a charging system problem.

Happy now - hopefully all good for the Bristol trip!

Thanks again everyone for your help - another school day!

Casper · 2018-12-20 00:26:40

Aye, i was about to say that wee wire at the back big_smile

Casper · 2018-12-20 00:27:43

Is forum clock an hour fast?

kenbw2 · 2018-12-20 01:45:54

Glad it's fixed! Goes to show sensors aren't as reliable as you'd hope. I assumed the dash lit up if the voltage was below 13.0V or something

kenbw2 · 2018-12-20 01:46:59

Casper wrote:

Is forum clock an hour fast?

Posting this at 00:46 UK time

Edit: Looks like yes

Last edited by kenbw2 (2018-12-20 01:47:14)

Tiree · 2018-12-20 11:39:50

kenbw2 wrote:

I assumed the dash lit up if the voltage was below 13.0V or something

I think that's pretty much what does happen - but if you unplug this wire completely, the dash warning also lights up. Plug it in cleanly and the light goes off [assuming voltage is ok].

If, as in my case, the plug connection is ropey - the light will light up a little / a lot / not at all - depending on what forces are being exerted on the wire by engine vibration / movement of air / etc at any given time.

smile

Tiree · 2018-12-20 11:42:10

kenbw2 wrote:

Casper wrote:
Is forum clock an hour fast?
Posting this at 00:46 UK time
Edit: Looks like yes

Hmm this all looks as it should to me:

What do you guys see?

Tiree · 2018-12-20 11:43:11

PS - forum time is set to GMT and is set to allow daylight saving

Casper · 2018-12-20 19:27:48

18.27

Casper · 2018-12-20 19:30:08

Casper wrote:

18.27

kenbw2 · 2018-12-20 19:33:33

Currently 18:33

Casper · 2018-12-20 19:36:35

Same setting as Kenbw2 ^^

Casper · 2018-12-20 19:38:20

Casper wrote:

Same setting as Kenbw2 ^^

Un tick daylight saving seems to have cured it. I would have thought that would be automatic in the servers clock.

Tiree · 2018-12-20 21:40:49

God that's confusing!

Anyway here's the "tell-tale" wire from the alternator ... if your battery dash light is lighting up .. this [and the plug / socket] should be on your checklist.

I'm guessing the spade connector fix isn't standard issue!

vaz2121 · 2018-12-22 02:43:16

Tiree wrote:

God that's confusing!
Anyway here's the "tell-tale" wire from the alternator ... if your battery dash light is lighting up .. this [and the plug / socket] should be on your checklist.
I'm guessing the spade connector fix isn't standard issue!
https://dispatchexpertscudo.org.uk/foru … 40042.jpeg

Do you happen to know what make/type Alternator is fitted to your van...
As the conectors on my van and on 307 looked like they were both of the screw on type iirc...
Where as your photo shows one screw on fitting and the offending plug....

Sorry my Memory is different ....

Both Alternators in/on my vehicles were/are 70amp/hr Valeo?

I think................

Is this an update as both my vehicles would be older than yours?

Last edited by vaz2121 (2018-12-22 02:47:45)

Tiree · 2018-12-28 16:54:16

Sorry Vaz .. I've not been able to find a discernible mark on the alternator yet.

I'll try to remember to check the next time I'm underneath.

It is an exchange unit - and that spade connector botch on my van perhaps suggests that the connectors on this alternator are not the same as they were on the one that came new on the van .... ?

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#1 2018-12-16 18:32:23

Battery Light Dimly Lit While Driving ...

#2 2018-12-16 19:40:54

Re: Battery Light Dimly Lit While Driving ...

#3 2018-12-16 23:01:34

Re: Battery Light Dimly Lit While Driving ...

#4 2018-12-16 23:30:44

Re: Battery Light Dimly Lit While Driving ...

#5 2018-12-17 11:08:06

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#6 2018-12-17 16:00:58

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#7 2018-12-19 03:04:15

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#8 2018-12-19 11:35:47

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#9 2018-12-19 19:19:06

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#10 2018-12-19 21:53:12

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#11 2018-12-20 00:26:40

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#12 2018-12-20 00:27:43

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#13 2018-12-20 01:45:54

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#14 2018-12-20 01:46:59

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#15 2018-12-20 11:39:50

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#16 2018-12-20 11:42:10

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#17 2018-12-20 11:43:11

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#18 2018-12-20 19:27:48

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#19 2018-12-20 19:30:08

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#20 2018-12-20 19:33:33

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#21 2018-12-20 19:36:35

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#22 2018-12-20 19:38:20

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#23 2018-12-20 21:40:49

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#24 2018-12-22 02:43:16

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#25 2018-12-28 16:54:16

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