Mk2b active sport measurements:
Battery 12.67 volts
Engine idling 14.17 volts
Engine under load 13.81 volts

Do i need to replace alternator? (to stop intermittent pas fail)

markdarbypearson said:

Mk2b active sport measurements:
Battery 12.67 volts
Engine idling 14.17 volts
Engine under load 13.81 volts

Do i need to replace alternator? (to stop intermittent pas fail)

Click to expand...

What does the GUIDE say?

Alternator looks OK, if under load it was under 13 volts then you'd have a problem. Looks like it's the steering column that needs replacing.
What does the voltage do with the engine running and the steering going full lock to full lock?

nitramtpr said:

Alternator looks OK, if under load it was under 13 volts then you'd have a problem. Looks like it's the steering column that needs replacing.
What does the voltage do with the engine running and the steering going full lock to full lock?

Click to expand...

Will try later

varesecrazy said:

What does the GUIDE say?

Click to expand...

13.8 or below. Was just hoping for some experienced advice with mine being right on it and tha pas failure being very infrequent and getting less frequent now the weather's warming up!! ?

nitramtpr said:

Alternator looks OK, if under load it was under 13 volts then you'd have a problem. Looks like it's the steering column that needs replacing.
What does the voltage do with the engine running and the steering going full lock to full lock?

Click to expand...

Just thought the 14.1 and 13.8 were a bit low and now the weather's warmer the pas fault has virtually gone ?

The numbers are fine. Normal alternator output should be in the range 13.6-14.4. Less than 13.5 will fail to push anything back into the battery, much more than 14.5 will damage the battery.
A 12v battery should show around 12.6-12.8v with no load and fully charged. Anything below 12.5 needs monitoring, can fall below sometimes when loads high and journeys short, but should recover easily. Once voltage stays below 12.5 for any length of time, the battery will be dying.

nitramtpr said:

Alternator looks OK, if under load it was under 13 volts then you'd have a problem. Looks like it's the steering column that needs replacing.
What does the voltage do with the engine running and the steering going full lock to full lock?

Click to expand...

Thanks! Not tried lock to lock yet. Any views on why the pas is failing less now the weather is better? I'd think that pas column is OK if it works in warm weather and my issue is voltage or corroded wiring resistance greater in colder conditions?

Battery voltage is marginally higher in warmer conditions vs cold

varesecrazy said:

Battery voltage is marginally higher in warmer conditions vs cold

Click to expand...

So it's a possibility there might be a corroded connection with enough resistance to cause the pas failure in colder temperatures. Worth a search to save whole new column expense?