Matt H Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Bit of an urgent query. The battery light on the dash of My 2000 Escort 1.8 TD came on today during a motorway drive (it's constantly on. i.e no flashing) just ebfore I got to the works carpark. I understand this informs me that there is a problem with the alternator (not the battery). This means that the alternator will most likely be failing to charge the battery for some reason (belt snap / total failure etc). My question is, if the battery was fully charged or nearly when the light came on, in this weather, now long can the battery keep going without being recharged? Basically, I need it to start tonight and get me home? Chances? Or should I leave work early and get it to the garage / call the AA Ta Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comorin219 Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 i think your battery will probably start the car but your car runs off the alternator aswell as charging the battery, so you will probably not get far due to the car running will just drain your battery in a very short time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 i think your battery will probably start the car but your car runs off the alternator aswell as charging the battery, so you will probably not get far due to the car running will just drain your battery in a very short time True, so you'd advise heading off asap then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comorin219 Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 probably best to make your way home being so cold it may only last 5 or 10 minutes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsween Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Phone the AA/RAC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 (edited) Phone the AA/RAC? I should have said that the works carpark is like a place we have contracts with and a far walk from the office, so not ideal to just nip out when / if they turn up. Good 20 mins walk across town. I've been doing a bit more reading. Turns out it 'may' get me home. I think the plan is to leave early, try and make it home so I can call the AA from the comfort of my house and work from home while waiting. Then if it's dead I can get it to a local garage. Worse case, It conks out and I have to call the AA anyway Edited December 3, 2010 by Matt H (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Doom Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 I had the same problem with my Astra a few years back. I managed to drive it to a garage 10 miles away without it conking out so fingers crossed for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 I think this can also mean that the battery isn't taking a charge properly. If this was the case you would be ok as long as you can get the car started. Bit of a lottery but worth a shot if you have breakdown cover anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 Get home now, so you don't need your lights. turn the radio off and heaters down etc. Anything that can draw an electrical charge, turn off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 Cheers guys, yep, defo everything elec off for the trip (going to be a chilly one!). Going to get off shortly to avoid traffic and hopefully have a chance of getting a decent responsetime from the AA and hopefully garage will be still open later if need be. I'm pretty sure the alternator was one of the parts I salvaged off my old escort (1.8 petrol) before it went to the scrappers. I wonder if they are compatible (this one's a 1.8 diesel). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 I got home without an indication that anythinis wrong. Been waiting for the AA for 2 hours now, but I know they're busy this time of year. I checked the leads for the alternator and they seem fine. Have to see what Mr AA says Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 you heard from the AA yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted December 6, 2010 Author Share Posted December 6, 2010 you heard from the AA yet? The AA turned up just after 8.15. quite a wait, but still managed to make it out for a night on the Vod! So, Mr AA turns up and seems very knowledgable. He checks the battery using a meter and it's still charging up with the lights on and radio etc, so there's no problem with the alternator doing its job. Ummm, so he jacks it up and looks under the car and finds the problem. A wire (was it the earth or something - can't remember) had become disconnected from the alternator, resulting in the dash light coming on. He reconnected it and job done - probably with me for all of 15mins! Cracking, at least it wasn't serious Cheers for the prior advice all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOGIE Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 Dont you just love those cheap fixes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted December 7, 2010 Author Share Posted December 7, 2010 Dont you just love those cheap fixes? Yeah, especially when I was eyeing up the costs for a new alternator in the run up to xmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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