Andi_F said:
Mark I don't know if it's an AC Alternator or not, Arnold Clark couldn't specify, nor could they specify the make of the Alternator.
But for those saying "it's the sound system" PROVE IT. This problem came on around March/ April 2012 which was AFTER UK Assistance repaired Dubster. Before that time I had NO problems with Alternators, so how can it be the sound system??
Sorry to sound cynical but this problem only came on after I got the car back after a minor RTC in January 2012.
Ermm... maybe you should prove it isn't? it's your car after all :laugh:
How are we supposed to prove it is or isn't when you are refusing to test it?
Why are you seemingly so scared of testing it? Nobody is saying 100% it is, only that it is a logical place to start looking and it's a cheap and very easy thing to check! You'd seriously rather spend over £500 without ruling something so simple in or out first?
How do you know that there isn't a fault in the system? nobody is saying it's a fitment problem, perhaps something has gone wrong internally, perhaps it has got damaged somehow, things can break on their own over time you know!
The RTC, let's look at it logically, we're talking a bumper replacement iirc? (i can't remember if it was back or front), either way, the alt is at the back of the engine, they won't have been near it (not that it matters for how often they have replaced it) so in terms of seals around it, none have been disturbed. Secondly all the wiring to those areas is all monitored by the on board systems, you'd have more symptoms if it was a bodywork wiring issue.
This is going to come across as arse-ish... but you're cynical of people saying it MAY be a fault with an unchecked and unmonitored aftermarket system on the car, all of whom are trying to give you the cheapest possible fixes and have no way of profiting whether you get it fixed or not yet weren't cynical of somebody who could profit from your problems saying 6 or 7 alternators in 2 years is likely just bad luck? i think you need to re-aim your cynicism, it's very back to front.