Having a problem with my Punto , when i start the car sometimes the battery light stays on and the power steering fails to work , if i take key out and try again it sorts itself also while driving a warning light comes on every now and again to check lights i've done so and all lights seem ok . Took it to garage on Friday he said it was the alternator and replaced it but it has made no difference any ideas anyone ????????

The light comes on to tell you the battery isn't charging, that's why he recommended a new alternator and I would have suggested the same reading the fist couple of lines of your post

It's hard to say what's going on it might be a fault with the steering motor is drawing so much power it's stopping the battery charging, I'd inspect carefully all the wiring and maybe try removing the fuse for the power steering when the battery light is on to see if the light goes out

the battery light only comes on at start up , the amber warning light is saying check stop lights , are these two problems connected

dudley gardiner said:

when i start the car sometimes the battery light stays on and the power steering fails to work ,


~Took it to garage on Friday he said it was the alternator and replaced it but it has made no difference any ideas anyone ????????

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dudley gardiner said:

the battery light only comes on at start up

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so what you're saying is it has made a difference?

No the alternator change has not made any difference , would a dodgy or corroded bulb cause this or a bad earth ?????

Check main battery cable

(Black one which goes to chassis and gear box

Had similar problem. Turned out to be alternator flywheel clutch was not working correctly replaced that and auxiliary belt at the same time

It seems that by increasing the revs a little when engaging the ignition cures the battery light problem but still want to know what is causing it and what the cure is :bang::bang::bang:

dudley gardiner said:

No the alternator change has not made any difference , would a dodgy or corroded bulb cause this or a bad earth ?????

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No a corroded bulb won't cause a battery light to come on (not that I, sure what you mean by corroded bulb.)

dudley gardiner said:

It seems that by increasing the revs a little when engaging the ignition cures the battery light problem but still want to know what is causing it and what the cure is :bang::bang::bang:

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The head banging is exactly how I feel, as what you're writing doesn't make any sense.

Is the battery light on or not? Or under what exact circumstances is the battery light on?

I take it you've not paid for this fix at the garage that didnt fix your fault?

If i start the car without my foot on the accelerator the battery light stays on and power steering fails , by revving slightly when turning the ignition it seems to go out as it should, i am not technical as you may know from my posts sorry

dudley gardiner said:

If i start the car without my foot on the accelerator the battery light stays on and power steering fails , by revving slightly when turning the ignition it seems to go out as it should, i am not technical as you may know from my posts sorry

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hi, sounds as if the alternator isn't supplying enough current ( amps) at tickover,
you can attempt to measure this with a meter on the battery terminals,
( the garage should've done this - before AND after the "fix)

12 Volts is the battery voltage ,

14 Volts is what is should show if the alternator is putting in a charge( with engine running|)

I would take it back to the garage , and get them to

1, test output,
2, trace fault

3, reimburse you as necessary,

out of interest, how old is the battery..|??,
it's wrth removing battery clamps, and cleaning the connecting surfaces too..,
Charlie - Oxford

So, every time you start the engine battery light is on until you give it a little gas or you have to start the engine with gas pressed ?

Is the new alternator original part ?

the battery is 2 years old , had it checked at Halfords its fine , and no the new alternator is not original

so what are the voltage readings?,

12 + for engine off and 14+ for engine running( at idle),
any lower, and there's your issue

see IF the charge goes up with the revs..,
I suspect that's your issue,

Charlie

Shouldn't really go higher than 14 engine running