Hi guys,

As the thread title says, my alternator could be broken.

My car wouldnt start the other day..when the AA man came out to take a look he just used one of they battery charger box thingy's ... HOWEVER! ... i now have an engine managment light on my dash! does that come on for the alternator?

And if so ... is the alternator easy to replace at home or is it best to take it to a garage? i cant really afford a £500 bill from the garage!

Also!

I have a knock coming from what sounds like my seats...has this happened to anyone else?

i want to replace my seats with sportier aftermarket ones ... will i still get the knocking? ... can anyone suggest where to get good sports seats for a 3 door? so the obviously need to fold forward

Thanks guys
Craig

Your battery might be going......

Lol.

Yes replace battery first.

I don't think the alternator costs £500 to replace?

But if you can't afford a replacement part for your car then you can't afford to run it.

I have already replaced the battery :O this happened after that ... i can afford to replace it...it just means i have to spend my holiday money which i would prefer not to do :O

I noticed that the alternator is only £150 ... but the garages would charge waaaaaay to much for labour, thats why im wondering if its easy enough to replace at home?

That's fair enough.

What model do you have?

If it's the 1.2/4 I really can't see how it's not an easy replacement. So much room in there!

i have the 1.4 active sport ... i took it to the garage today and they cant seem to find a problem :/ they say the reason it died was just the battery probably as its not done it since ... ill need to see if the light comes back on

Thanks anyway

Hi folks, not been on the forum in ages as I traded in my GP after having a few problems on the trot.

It sounds like you're getting exactly the same problem I had......every so often I had the battery warning light coming on but when I took it to any garage for a diagnostic nothing showed up, even when the light was on!
So nothing could be found and eventually the alternator gave up the ghost mid-journey and I got stuck inbetween Glenrothes and Dundee. I got ot towed and alternator replaced but luckily had a next ended warranty so I avoided the £260 (ish) bill.

iirc it's not a homer job either unless you have some proper kit and a bit of knowledge, to swap the alternator part of the air-con unti has to be removed as you need access right in the bottom/back of the engine bay. If it does end being that, price of around £150 for the alternator is ok, shop around for the labour costs though.

My typing is absolutely gash! I'd blame it on the drink but I'm in work!

Just had my alternator changed myself, 140+ VAT for a new one then 40 to fit, came to just under 210 altogether.

non-air con models easy, air-con models bit more difficult (no need to touch air-con system)

If your replacing the alternator put a new belt on whilst your at It

Do not over tighten the belt on none air con cars too too tight you'll prematurely wear the bearings on the alternator too slack it will slip. Aim to be able to just th be able to twist the belt 90 degrees in the middle with your fingers