V50 Electrics : - V50 Diesel - Power system service urgent

milese · Aug 22nd, 2011, 22:06

I've got a 2006 V50 Diesel, with 116k.

Just had a warning light on the dash "power system service urgent" along with the battery picture.

It came on about a mile into my journey, stayed on, then when I left for home it came on after about a mile (driving with fans and radio off) , but went off about 2 miles later, and stayed off for the remaining 2 miles til I got home.

Just checked the voltages and get:

engine off 12.33 v
engine running, nothing on 12.44v
engine running air con on max 11.79v

Whilst doing these tests I dont think the light came on the dash.

The belt on the alt looks fine, well, it is there and going around.

Does this sound like an alternator? Any common other problems? Advice, things to check etc?

Many thanks in advance!

Clan · Aug 22nd, 2011, 22:45

it seems your alternator is not charging , you should have over 14v when the engine is running .
the 120 Amp alternator is most troublesome and is superceeded to the 150 Amp one , it will need software if this is the case to tell the car it has a 150 A alternator ..

milese · Aug 22nd, 2011, 22:54

Thanks for reply.

I just had a look and it is a "Denso 104210 150A R67CC", so already has the 150A version.

Have I done enough to have diagnosed a faulty alternator, and can proceed to buy a replacement and swap it? Anything I should check first before I start replacing it?

Also, if I drive it without anything on (12.44v), will that be ok? Few 8 mile journeys to work, pick up an alternator etc?

Bigmunkynutz · Aug 22nd, 2011, 23:15

You can get the 150 amp alternator from eurocarparts for about a 3rd of what Volvo want and it's the exact same denso unit FYI.

milese · Aug 22nd, 2011, 23:22

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-S40-...item2a12aa3f31

Will try and use this against my local place!

http://www.startermotor-alternator-s...815-1257-p.asp

Clan · Aug 23rd, 2011, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by milese

Thanks for reply.

I just had a look and it is a "Denso 104210 150A R67CC", so already has the 150A version.

Have I done enough to have diagnosed a faulty alternator, and can proceed to buy a replacement and swap it? Anything I should check first before I start replacing it?

Also, if I drive it without anything on (12.44v), will that be ok? Few 8 mile journeys to work, pick up an alternator etc?

yes you have done enough it seems , you can drive it but you must charge the battery at home as much as possible , there is quite a drain from the electrics when driving .. the powersteering pump takes a lot of current for example .

milese · Aug 23rd, 2011, 19:59

Just had another look and its charging at around 14v at idle with nothing on.

As soon as you load it with aircon etc it goes down to just over 12v.

So it is charging some, but not as much as it should.

Does that still point to the alternator?

Annoyingly the wife got a puncture earlier in a good as new dunlop sport tyre and proceeded to drive home so thats a new tyre to add to the bill, then my tooth fell in half and will need a crown so thats another couple of hundred on the bill - all in all a costly day.

Clan · Aug 23rd, 2011, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by milese

Just had another look and its charging at around 14v at idle with nothing on.

As soon as you load it with aircon etc it goes down to just over 12v.

So it is charging some, but not as much as it should.

Does that still point to the alternator?

Annoyingly the wife got a puncture earlier in a good as new dunlop sport tyre and proceeded to drive home so thats a new tyre to add to the bill, then my tooth fell in half and will need a crown so thats another couple of hundred on the bill - all in all a costly day.

yes the alternator should compensate for the extra load to within 0.2 v or sso . try increasing idle a bit and see if it does this .
Bad luck today :-(

kebab10 · Aug 23rd, 2011, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clan

yes the alternator should compensate for the extra load to within 0.2 v or sso . try increasing idle a bit and see if it does this .
Bad luck today :-(

Didnt run over a black cat today did you? Certainly had a bad day. Hope all gets sorted soon.

milese · Aug 23rd, 2011, 20:38

Volts do go up with increased RPM but I dont think by a significant amount, ie would still drop around a volt from memory.

What would it mean if RPM did put the V up more?

Hopefully things happen in 3's and thats my lot for a while!

Aug 22nd, 2011, 22:06	#1
milese Junior Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2017 22:14 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plymouth	V50 Diesel - Power system service urgent I've got a 2006 V50 Diesel, with 116k. Just had a warning light on the dash "power system service urgent" along with the battery picture. It came on about a mile into my journey, stayed on, then when I left for home it came on after about a mile (driving with fans and radio off) , but went off about 2 miles later, and stayed off for the remaining 2 miles til I got home. Just checked the voltages and get: engine off 12.33 v engine running, nothing on 12.44v engine running air con on max 11.79v Whilst doing these tests I dont think the light came on the dash. The belt on the alt looks fine, well, it is there and going around. Does this sound like an alternator? Any common other problems? Advice, things to check etc? Many thanks in advance!

Aug 22nd, 2011, 22:45	#2
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:49 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	it seems your alternator is not charging , you should have over 14v when the engine is running . the 120 Amp alternator is most troublesome and is superceeded to the 150 Amp one , it will need software if this is the case to tell the car it has a 150 A alternator .. __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Aug 22nd, 2011, 23:15	#4
Bigmunkynutz S40 Owner Last Online: Jun 16th, 2013 22:33 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Warrington	You can get the 150 amp alternator from eurocarparts for about a 3rd of what Volvo want and it's the exact same denso unit FYI. __________________ 05 Plate S40 SE Sport

Aug 22nd, 2011, 22:54	#3
milese Junior Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2017 22:14 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plymouth	Thanks for reply. I just had a look and it is a "Denso 104210 150A R67CC", so already has the 150A version. Have I done enough to have diagnosed a faulty alternator, and can proceed to buy a replacement and swap it? Anything I should check first before I start replacing it? Also, if I drive it without anything on (12.44v), will that be ok? Few 8 mile journeys to work, pick up an alternator etc?

Aug 22nd, 2011, 23:22	#5
milese Junior Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2017 22:14 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plymouth	http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-S40-...item2a12aa3f31 Will try and use this against my local place! http://www.startermotor-alternator-s...815-1257-p.asp

Aug 23rd, 2011, 19:59	#7
milese Junior Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2017 22:14 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plymouth	Just had another look and its charging at around 14v at idle with nothing on. As soon as you load it with aircon etc it goes down to just over 12v. So it is charging some, but not as much as it should. Does that still point to the alternator? Annoyingly the wife got a puncture earlier in a good as new dunlop sport tyre and proceeded to drive home so thats a new tyre to add to the bill, then my tooth fell in half and will need a crown so thats another couple of hundred on the bill - all in all a costly day.

Aug 23rd, 2011, 20:38	#10
milese Junior Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2017 22:14 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Plymouth	Volts do go up with increased RPM but I dont think by a significant amount, ie would still drop around a volt from memory. What would it mean if RPM did put the V up more? Hopefully things happen in 3's and thats my lot for a while!

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