Technical Alternator Fail light JTD

[DMarsden]

The dreaded beep followed by "Alternator Fail" on LCD display. Goes out after a second or two, comes back on a after a minute or two, repeats with gradually increasing frequency, usually accompanied with red battery symbol on dash.

Take it to garage (I'm new to the area, but they seem OK) to have it fixed. They replace the alternator, which is not what I would do, and it doesn't fix the problem (surprise, surprise!). I suggest loose auxiliary belt but they say it definitely isn't that.

You know what's coming next - any suggestions? - wiring diagram?

Christmas is coming up and I've got grandchildren to visit

 

[john55]

Is your power steering working normally?
When it detects the alternator is not charging, it switches off and steering goes heavy. This is independent of the dashboard warning.
If PAS is OK, you don't actually have an alternator problem but have a wiring problem with whatever is monitoring the battery voltage, or it is possible a battery in very poor condition may cause this but then it probably wouldn't start.
Try the clean D4 connector guide, and also check the other connectors in the same compartment.

 

[Argonought]

Yes; I'd say it could be as simple as a cell failing on the battery. This could still provide starting current but the Stilo's on-board electronics would not be happy with the battery voltage.

As John says, PAS drops out quick enough with any alternator issues and you'd know about that quick enough - although I was of the opinion the car would ALWAYS warn you anyway :chin:

 

[dan-the-man]

I'd say loose belt as well, what condition is it in?

 

[DMarsden]

Is your power steering working normally?
When it detects the alternator is not charging, it switches off and steering goes heavy. This is independent of the dashboard warning.

The power steering gets very heavy if the red battery light stays on for more than 3-4 seconds.

If PAS is OK, you don't actually have an alternator problem but have a wiring problem with whatever is monitoring the battery voltage, or it is possible a battery in very poor condition may cause this but then it probably wouldn't start.

The car is just 4 years old, as is the battery. The car starts easily. I've never had any starting problems no matter how cold the weather.

Try the clean D4 connector guide, and also check the other connectors in the same compartment.

I'll print it out and give it to the garage.

Yes; I'd say it could be as simple as a cell failing on the battery. This could still provide starting current but the Stilo's on-board electronics would not be happy with the battery voltage.

I'll suggest changing the battery.

I'd say loose belt as well, what condition is it in?

I had a quick look from the top - it looked OK. My problem is that I'm not as young and bendy as I used to be, hence entrusting the car to an unknown garage, so I can't get underneath the car to have a good look. The garage was adamant it wasn't the belt.

 

[Argonought]

Now this is a funny coincidence

Not had a beep from mine for sometime but this afternoon I was taking off in a bit of a hurry and had BEEP BEEP "Alternator Failure".

I felt the steering stiffen up immediately but as I was a bit committed to the traffic flow - couldn't easily do a restart - but within only seconds the PAS recovered

What was interesting to me was that PAS failure wasn't reported at all so I think there may be a delay before the report is made i.e the car tries to recover first.

Not bad for a battery over 6 year old and must say the JTD is going great

 

[dan-the-man]

when my alternator belt kind of "fell off" I got alternator failure and power steering went but no warning of pas failure, was just running straight from the battery to get me home

 

[cris1117]

I think the power steering thing is normal if you drive almost as soon as you start, the alternator seems to take a few seconds to get the power up enough to make the computer happy.
It does sound like the belt could be slipping
Most tyre places will test the battery for free; they can tell if it is a dead or dying cell so I think that would be my first check, the cold weather does seem to kill batteries off without warning.
The stilo is very hungry for electrical power, so even a slightly dodgy battery will cause problems.
What sort of miles you got on her could it be the alternator is failing? I’m thinking 80k plus seems to be when they start playing up.

 

[Argonought]

What sort of miles you got on her could it be the alternator is failing?

They replace the alternator, which is not what I would do, and it doesn't fix the problem (surprise, surprise!).

 

[dan-the-man]

belt is cheap anyway but can be a bugger to fit so I've heard, think the JTD has 2 belts? Can't remember now, your only looking at £25 for the 2 belts

 

[DMarsden]

I think the power steering thing is normal if you drive almost as soon as you start, the alternator seems to take a few seconds to get the power up enough to make the computer happy.
It does sound like the belt could be slipping
Most tyre places will test the battery for free; they can tell if it is a dead or dying cell so I think that would be my first check, the cold weather does seem to kill batteries off without warning.
The stilo is very hungry for electrical power, so even a slightly dodgy battery will cause problems.
What sort of miles you got on her could it be the alternator is failing? I’m thinking 80k plus seems to be when they start playing up.

The car has done 63,000. The alternator has already been replaced but the fault remains. The garage says the old alternator didn't work on the bench.

 

[Argonought]

The car has done 63,000. The alternator has already been replaced but the fault remains. The garage says the old alternator didn't work on the bench.

Rubbish

Tell them to put it back

Furthermore I'd advise they replace it correctly (same state as received) or face the costs of a main dealer doing the same.

 

[fuzzie]

this is very similar to my problem, alternator failure on dashboard but fitter says its working fine. my PAS has gone and as the battery gets weaker so does everything else, did you solve the problem?

 

[OzMoSiS]

the cold is having a laugh with your batteries