Hi 56 plate when bought 5 months ago had a new battery and alternator fitted ran OK for 3 weeks then battery went flat. Battery was removed and charged and fitted back in car. Started fine then lost pas, abs light was on and a few others but can't remember which.After a short drive and opening bonnet there was battery acid leak and fluid bubbling up in battery and alternator putting 19v to battery. Car towed to garage and they replaced both battery and alternator.have noticed on new sealed battery where charge status indicator is that there is sometimes a small amount of battery fluid so guessing it must be overcharging again sometimes every time I check with voltmeter it is 13.8v when engine running. Is there any common fault to check as to why it may be overcharging or will it just be faulty alternator?
Thanks
Steve

Did they definitely change the alternator? Boiling the battery is a sure sign of overcharging. 13.8 sounds about right though. Keep a check on it.

digger58 said:

Did they definitely change the alternator? Boiling the battery is a sure sign of overcharging. 13.8 sounds about right though. Keep a check on it.

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As far as i am aware the alternator was changed but i cant be certain 100%. the work was carried out under warranty from the previous owner so i cant really go back with it again.I dont want to throw £150 on another alternator if something else is giving the issue?

Is it an OE alternator?

Aftermarket ones are known to cause issues.

Yoss1 said:

As far as i am aware the alternator was changed but i cant be certain 100%. the work was carried out under warranty from the previous owner so i cant really go back with it again.I dont want to throw £150 on another alternator if something else is giving the issue?

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HI. AFTERMARKET Alternators do seem to be an issue with the GP

When I bought my GP the alternator was on the way out, the housing was cracked and it lasted only about a week, I replaced it with a Denso unit which lasted another week before the rectifier died! This was replaced and 3 yrs later is still OK. There is no such thing as a genuine FIAT alternator! I think they are either Magnetti Marelli or Denso fitted from day one.

digger58 said:

When I bought my GP the alternator was on the way out, the housing was cracked and it lasted only about a week, I replaced it with a Denso unit which lasted another week before the rectifier died! This was replaced and 3 yrs later is still OK. There is no such thing as a genuine FIAT alternator! I think they are either Magnetti Marelli or Denso fitted from day one.

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Ok..so OE fit..not some Ebay chinese rubbish.
Bought an Ebay starter..it was so poorly cast I just returned it in the post.

I don't get buying this cheap Chinese ****e! Why they don't make decent stuff and charge a bit more just beats me. Had the housing not been cracked I would have got the old unit reconditioned. Just got a 2000 Punto Cabrio, have had alternator and starter reconditioned even though they were fine, starter was OK just a clean Alternator had new brushes. Cost me €30. A good auto electrician is a must to save €/£100's.

Called a local auto electrician and he did say aftermarket alternators are rubbish and will only fit the more expensive makes like Bosch. Will give it a check over for free to see what's happening. I returned to the garage where battery and alternator were fitted originally before we got the car to see if he could look back records and see what had been fitted but be was too busy.he did say to bring it in and he would look at it as alternator would be under guarantee so I'm not sure what route to take,get him to fit more expensive one or get auto electritian to do it

If it's under guarantee, then get the original garage to sort it. No-brainer, and it won't cost you anything. He'll be able to dig out the paperwork if it's under guarantee anyway so he can return it. At least then, you'll know what brand was fitted.

Yoss1 said:

he did say to bring it in and he would look at it as alternator would be under guarantee so I'm not sure what route to take,get him to fit more expensive one or get auto electrician to do it

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Hi,
the swapped for free has to be the best 1st step,
discover what brand..and what was the issue..,

basically you've got an electric motor, with an alloy casing

and an electronics box on the side that carries the brushes, and restricts the output.

GP's can have a design flaw where rainwater is ducted to wash over the alternator..so they tend to get a hard time..,
check the modified drain has been fitted,

then see what is actually wrong with your alternator - chances are it's the voltage regulator..,

got a new complete assembly - as it's FREE ,
but in future a decent auto electrician should be able to supply and fit that part alone,
Charlie

varesecrazy said:

Hi,
the swapped for free has to be the best 1st step,
discover what brand..and what was the issue..,

basically you've got an electric motor, with an alloy casing

and an electronics box on the side that carries the brushes, and restricts the output.

GP's can have a design flaw where rainwater is ducted to wash over the alternator..so they tend to get a hard time..,
check the modified drain has been fitted,

then see what is actually wrong with your alternator - chances are it's the voltage regulator..,

got a new complete assembly - as it's FREE ,
but in future a decent auto electrician should be able to supply and fit that part alone,
Charlie

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Thanks.will check the drainage for this and once its booked in will report back with outcome