Battery not charging. Suspect alternator fault.

[rogereld]

Car had main dealer manufacturers spec service on Friday. Done four journeys totalling 160 miles and now car will not start. I had no indications of any problems until I turned the key and got lots of clicking noises and flashing lights and jumping needles on the dash. Clock went to --.-- and car would not start.

I called the AA and the mechanic reckons the battery is not charging and suspects an alternator fault. A boost start got the engine running and he followed me home. I had battery low warnings come on during the 2 mile journey but had not seen any before.

I will take the battery out and put it on charge overnight.

Are there any likely wires that could have been disturbed during servicing which would cause these symptoms to appear?

The battery connections in the boot have been checked and the AA meter was not reading a charge at the boost lead connections under the bonnet or at the starter motor. He could not get to the alternator wires directly with the engine running.

Do alternators just suddenly fail? The battery is a 6 month old Volvo OEM. How far could I drive without it charging?


Its a V70 2.4T petrol, manual transmission. 2001, on 128,900 miles

[reggit]

Alternators can suddenly fail - as to how far you can drive with it not charging, may factors, but it depends on the electrical draw and how good and capacity of your battery. If you have DRL's active they'll decimate your range.

Advise you check alternator out and change it asap if it is faulty.

[rogereld]

Originally Posted by reggit

Alternators can suddenly fail - as to how far you can drive with it not charging, may factors, but it depends on the electrical draw and how good and capacity of your battery. If you have DRL's active they'll decimate your range.

Advise you check alternator out and change it asap if it is faulty.

Thanks. The battery was fitted new by Volvo at the beginning of February 2014. It is a Volvo branded 60Ah 520A EN 30659797 V022A.

How do I check the alternator out? Is there a regulator connected to it which could also fail?

The very recent service makes me question the possibility of a disturbed wiring connection. Or perhaps too much spray cleaner has gone in to the alternator coils. The plastic items under the bonnet look very clean and have a film of lubricant or some kind of cleaning spray on them.

[Lancee]

Since it was a main dealer service and so recent (and expensive), take it back to them to look at free of charge (once battery is charged).
They should read the codes (again FOC!).

This should give you a better idea, and if it is something they have done they should put it right.

[rogereld]

I am thinking a return to the dealer is probably a good place to start. Problem is IF the battery is charged overnight sufficiently to start the car, it may be flat by the time I arrive at the dealer.

I will then have no means of escape if they want to charge me £100's for a new alternator at main dealer labour cost as I won't be able to restart the car.

Independent mechanics sometimes have more interest in repairing items than the main dealer who will usually replace with new rather than repair. Not always the best option but it may be in this case.

I will need some convincing before replacing the alternator, if the fault could be in the regulator or some other wiring which may be repairable.

[Orca2]

Jump start it and stick a voltmeter on the battery terminals if you are reading anything above 12 volts ,usually about 13 or 14 . Your alternator is charging . Switch the engine off if the voltage drops back to 12 or less its probably battery problem .

[Lancee]

At least give the dealer a call and tell them the problem, see what response you get, if they want your business in the future they should be willing to help.

Volvo OE batteries are very good, doubtful to have failed so soon, however in life assume nothing !

[rogereld]

If the car will start after overnight charging I am off to the dealer this morning for them to have a look at it.

The battery fitted in February was a warranty replacement for an 18 month old battery which failed with exactly the same symptoms as I had yesterday. The conclusion then was that the 18 month old Volvo battery had failed prematurely. The chance of two OEM batteries failing is extremely small so I think there must be something else wrong.

[Bernard333]

If it is an alternator problem the part thats fails most often is the regulator which is easily replaceable . The heavy duty and expensive part carrying the high current is the stator windings and diodes, they are more reliable but are difficult to replace as they are welded together, if these fail its easier to replace the complete alternator. You can remove the regulator and check the brush, there is also a condenser built into the plastic end cover but check the output volts first. Used alternators cost about £25 complete with freewheel pulley and regulator.

[rogereld]

Originally Posted by Bernard333

If it is an alternator problem the part thats fails most often is the regulator which is easily replaceable . The heavy duty and expensive part carrying the high current is the stator windings and diodes, they are more reliable but are difficult to replace as they are welded together, if these fail its easier to replace the complete alternator. You can remove the regulator and check the brush, there is also a condenser built into the plastic end cover but check the output volts first. Used alternators cost about £25 complete with freewheel pulley and regulator.

Just had a phone call from my local volvo dealer. They think the alternator has an intermittent fault and needs replacing.

It is possible that the voltage regulator is faulty, but volvo do not replace that as a separate item. I need to find a local independent auto electrical specialist who can do that.

Did you miss a zero off your used alternator price? If I can get a good replacement for £25 its not worth too much time looking at alternative solutions, but I have not found anything of original quality near that price.