Technical alternator changed/battery light when starting?

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Technical alternator changed/battery light when starting?

c14rke

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hi,

a few weeks back i broke down on route to work, got towed to garage and told alternator had gone.

had the alternator and alternator belt change and got the car back same day.

on my journey out that evening stopped at petrol station filled up, started engine and battery light was on and no power steering. drove a few miles straight back to the garage and left the car with them to have a look.

the mechanic started the car and battery light was off and all fine.

i left the car any way for him to have a look at next day.
he came back to me saying he didnt no what the problem was and after starting the car approx 20 times the battery light only came on a few times.
he gave me the car back and said see if it settles down over next few weeks :S
so now quite often when u start the engine battery light is on and no power steering, yet switch the engine off and restart all is fine.
iv had it to another onto electronic machine and nothing came up under power steering.

battery has been tested etc.

any body any idea? as bit reluctant to take it back to original garage unless no the problem.

thanks in advance


2007 grande punto dynamic btw 77000 miles.
 
Loose alternator or battery connection? At least check and clean the battery connectors.
 
Isn't this a ECU problem, mine has done it a few times... turn the car off turn it back on and the problem has dissapered. I do believe it is due to a faulty reading by the ECU and it points towards the battery being slightly duff (or just very cold) I think this came under one of the ECU updates. I'll go check
 
Yep...same here. had it back to the garage who replaced the alternator twice but as far as they are concerned everything is sound and functioning as it should, including the battery. They are telling me that they suspect the various ECUs etc were calibrated to the original alternator when the car was built. Now that there is a new alternator in there, which although functioning correctly may have slightly different performance characteristics which in turn are confusing the steering ECU and making it run off to mummy.

They have never seen a problem such as this before and have offered to look into it further and if neccessary involve FIAT or a FIAT dealer but they have also made it clear that if major costs are incurred they will have to pass them on to me on the basis that they dont consider themselves liable for the condition as it stands.......so, until it becomes a real problem I am going to treat it as just another one of those things and live with it.
 
Yep...same here. had it back to the garage who replaced the alternator twice but as far as they are concerned everything is sound and functioning as it should, including the battery. They are telling me that they suspect the various ECUs etc were calibrated to the original alternator when the car was built. Now that there is a new alternator in there, which although functioning correctly may have slightly different performance characteristics which in turn are confusing the steering ECU and making it run off to mummy.

They have never seen a problem such as this before and have offered to look into it further and if neccessary involve FIAT or a FIAT dealer but they have also made it clear that if major costs are incurred they will have to pass them on to me on the basis that they dont consider themselves liable for the condition as it stands.......so, until it becomes a real problem I am going to treat it as just another one of those things and live with it.

Yeah on & off does the trick.... bizzare. Had the multimeter on it at the morning 13.8 volts in the battery.
 
Wow didnt realise so many had the same problem.

I've had an auto electrician look at mine, couldnt find a fault anywhere so he suggested trying an original alternator from fiat dealer, said he's seen similar problems in the past and an original has cured it. Got one on order so I'll update when its fitted.
 
Just an update guys. Fitted an original alternator from fiat dealer, problem now solved!

Any difference in output voltage? Who fitted it? you or the dealer?

I can't see any sensible reason why an blueprinted alternator, or infact a rebuilt alternator should cause any difference infact the GP1.9 alternator is listed for a variety of applications across multiple makes and models, some pre-CAN too.
 
I have this exact same problem, looks like a new alternator from fiat is in order, jesus that even sounds expensive :(
 
I have this exact same problem, looks like a new alternator from fiat is in order, jesus that even sounds expensive :(

TBH I don't see it being that that's needed at all. My replacement is a Lucas exchange and they assure me its from a GP too.

Wonder if T can tell us if any dealer magic goes on after the swap?
 
how you getting on mate? its pissing me off big time!
 
Having the exact same problem with my 2007 punto active.
any solutions????? Is a Fiat part the best option........:confused:
 
No not at all!

What brand of alternator has been fitted to yours? The companies remanufacturing these must must must get their processes right. Ask the garage to refer it back to them and point them to this thread too.
 
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