General Few minor issues

[majik]

Hi

Well firstly thanks for your help getting the car running again but i do have a few issues that i would like some help with.

First one, how hard is it to change a Cam/Timing belt, I have looked at the guide and it don't seem overly hard, been quoted £220 to do and i know bits only costs £20 ish and im quite happy to do myself, Just wanted some info really. Also if i change the belt myself is there anything else i should change at some time (Drive/Aux belt/Water Pump etc ??)

Secondly The Battery Light, It never goes off. I have checked Battery and its fine (4 months old) I have checked Alternator with Meter (Readin 14i sh if i remember rightly with all electrics on) I have had a look at it and the connector wobbles a little bit, I have tried to bend it slightly to make a better connection which works but only very short term. Is there anything else i can do. Its the Mrs car and she doesn't like the light always being on.
And i don't want to tape up the light or take bulb out i want the light to work as it should ideally. (Already suggested these and she weren't happy )

 

[J.R Racing]

I think the cambelt change is an easy job to do even for a beginner/amateur mechanic. Buy a good quality belt and tensioner from Fiat or equivalent for around the £30 mark. Main thing to remember is be nice and precise with the timing marks, line the belt up correctly and you can't go wrong. I have done them one handed but you may find it easier when retensioning the belt to grab a willing helper for 5 mins!

Whether you change anything else is dependant on mileage/personal preference/budget. I would personally do the aux driv belt at the same time as we are talking £7. Water pump I wouldn't worry about unless there is an apparent problem with it.

As for the batt light if alternator/aux drive belt is fine then sounds like bad connector/earth which needs to be checked out.

 

[majik]

Car has done 58k since new (11 years old) will change water pump and aux belt too as i dont fink they have ever been done.

How would i check the earth connector for Alternator ? it seems to have one plug that plugs in side that when i bend in pin in the alternator makes light go out for a while but them it comes back on, I don't wanna break the pin by bending it too much.

Will have a proper look next weeknd when im doing belts and pump etc.

Thanks for your help.

 

[arc]

the small wire that clips onto the alternator controls the battery warning light, but also is part of the circuit that handles the charging regualtion. with that wire off or damaged, then the light will be on and the alternator will be overcharging the battery.

cam belt is an easy job to do.

 

[majik]

So is that called the Alternator Regulator, and if so i can just change that bit can't i instead of whole new alternator. Will have a search tonite and find out what Alternator she has and if i can get a new Regulator for it.

When i unplug the lead the light goes out completly when the lead is plugged in it is on sometimes bright, Sometimes dim and tends to alter when i use something electrical (Windows or turn lights on etc) Could be earthing point i guess, Do i just trace the wire back and see where its earthed ??

 

[arc]

with the lead off, the light should be ON.

last time my alternator played up i just picked up one from the scrappy and replaced the lot, so im not sure if you can replace bits and bobs from it or not.

 

[majik]

Im sure it goes off when i unplug it, will check it tonite if i can.
I am talking about the small lead the plugs into side, not the plastic plug that connects up with another plastic plug (hope that makes sense)

I can try and get some pics over weekend it that would help.

Would a Alternator from scrappy be ok ??? are they easy to change as im a kinda beginner lol.

So far have re-wired stereo (idiot before just cut wires and cellotaped together) flushed and bleed coolant system, refitted screen washer resoviour, changed thermostat, Air Filter and Spark Plugs

To Do next weekend:

Change Cam belt
Change Drive/Fan/Aux belt
Change Water pump

Is the above possible in about 5 hours ?? they are all in same area etc so guessing thats once car in air and wheel/wheel arch all off access is a breeze ?

 

[majik]

New possible issue, Mrs says car doesn't feel like its stuck to road (Cos it aint lol) i have told her to check tyre pressures which will be done tomoz but as im at work can't actually see it. Any idea of possible cause. I know tyre tread is fine as it recently had 2 new tyres.

As i said im doing a lot of work to it next week so just wondered if there is anything i should check/change ?

 

[majik]

anyone suggest anything else that should/could be changed while i do the above ??