Hi All,
Fiat qubo battery light stops on, I have 12.6v across the battery and the alternator is changing, any ideas please

14.4volts withmotor running..?

The battery light shows when current is flowing from the battery. This is usually as sign the alternator is not charging but a wiring fault can also cause the light to show.

Check the alternator charge voltage with everything switched on.

Finnyboy said:

Hi All,
Fiat qubo battery light stops on, I have 12.6v across the battery and the alternator is changing, any ideas please

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12.6v across the battery before you start the engine is fine.

12.6v across the battery with the engine running is not good. With engine running, you should see around 14v, the desired range being 13.6 - 14.4v.

You say the alternator is changing, which is an interesting phenomenon, I guess that was a typo and you mean charging. So what is the charging voltage? If only 12.6v, it is likely a new alternator is required, but all connections need to be checked first.

I’m afraid vague information, precise voltage at battery when engine is idling as stated.

portland_bill said:

12.6v across the battery before you start the engine is fine.

12.6v across the battery with the engine running is not good. With engine running, you should see around 14v, the desired range being 13.6 - 14.4v.

You say the alternator is changing, which is an interesting phenomenon, I guess that was a typo and you mean charging. So what is the charging voltage? If only 12.6v, it is likely a new alternator is required, but all connections need to be checked first.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the grammatical error "charging"

The alternator reading is 13.7 which isn't brilliant I know, yet it is charging.. the vehicle is only used a couple of times a week for short journeys!
I have just ordered a Ctek smart charger, hoping this will help..

The battery light staying on is a warning that the alternator is not charging. It can also illuminate if the control circuit within the alternator is failing. When that happens, it is often the case that it will allow a battery discharge when not in use. The low rate of charge is probably also related.

Provided you have checked all the connections at the alternator, the battery, and the earth cable from battery to engine, and all are clean and making a good contact, then you need a new alternator, as it is unlikely to make itself well again. It is likely to deteriorate, leaving you somewhere inconvenient with a dead battery.

A battery charger is really just applying a sticking plaster, not addressing the problem.
Compare the cost of an alternator with that of the charger. Although, you're still going to need an alternator sometime.

Alternator regulators can fail by not providing enough voltage (as seems here). But they can also lose all control of voltage. This boils the battery and might even risk damage to other systems in the car.

You can get regulator components, but good luck with extracting the mounting screws. A new alternator is not silly money - £70 to £100.

Your alternator may be controlled by an ecu in the vehicle.
If it is then it is the alternator warning light is turned on or off by the ecu.

We have Swift Suntor 590 motorhome on a Fiat Ducato 2.3 diesel the problem we have is the battery light stays on this all started a couple of weeks ago. Battery light kept coming on and off while driving and we also noticed the reversing camera kept trying to come on, then the reversing camera stopped working (not coming on at all ) and the battery light now stays on. Had an auto electrician look at it and after checking all the electrics he couldn't find a problem, the alternator has been checked and is at 14+ when tested. The reversing light is working. One other thing we did notice was the relay box in the wardrobe was clicking when the battery light was flashing on and off. Anyone got any suggestions.

Faulty equipment on the habitation side..?

Disconnect so you are solely on the FIAT kit..

See what happens

Could you explain - do you mean disconnect leisure battery.

Bert41 said:

Could you explain - do you mean disconnect leisure battery.

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Yes..

But what diagnostics did your visiting electrician make..

Isolating 'accessories'.. so just dealing with the FIAT cab side would seem logical