Alternator Dead?

sharp75

Hi All

Whilst driving to work yesterday morning on the motorway, my lash lights lit up randomly and flashed like a christmas tree..... lol. The rev counter also stopped working. About 30 secs later it seemed to return to normal.......

However when at home today my battery seems to have drained (without battery light on) and i'm thinking the alternator as i had a new battery about a month ago. The belt looks fine with tension.....

First question is how do I remove the battery to charge without the alarm sounding? notsure.gif
and the second obvious question has anyone else had a similar problem? :?

dunowt

I dont know how to solve this problem mate but to get the battery off without the alarm going off just leave the keys in and turn the ignition on but dont start the engine and remove the battery.

Daz

You need to get it running and then check the voltage across the battery terminal, shud be around 14.2v..

sharp75

I charged that battery overnight (holding 13.5V on charger) and have started to the car. Without loading the circuits it was holding at 12.5V intially with 12.0V with loaded circuits. Left running for half an hour and now reads 11.5V and 11.0V respectively.......

So it seems the alternator is dead?

Also I have noticed that the power steering pump is starting with the ignition on, rather than when started. Is a voltage drain the signal for the power steering to start? What is the signal if not. I would imagine it will all return to normal once new alternator..... or is this a bad earth? I have had the head off recently and have refitted the earth strap on the head. But dont think it is that. notsure.gif

Daz

Just a thought.....get ure multimeter and stick the pos lead on the battery and the earth on a part of the engine....post ure reading up when you have m8....may have a solution if it reads 14.2 ish.....

sharp75

Daz, same readings when off the engine. New alternator on its way... thank you

laszlo

Hi I have a similar problem after a general mechanical service:
1 Alternator indicator OK (turns on when turning ignition on)
2 after 2 seconds delay alternator starts charging (battery voltage goes up from 12.5V to 13.7V) but after less than a minute starts dropping (not charging) but the "no charge" annunciator light doesn't come up
3 "emissions" annunciator light is on (OBD2 code: P0102 i.e. MAF/VA A Circuit Low Input); erasing the code turns it off, engine runs rough then readjust itself and turns the light on again.
Does the z22se have a special alternator with ECU feedback? It seems that the ECU malfunctions!?
The cruise control can not be set (briefly flickers light on only) but this could be because of the emmissions probelm i.e. engine not running 100% ?
I bought the Vauxhall/Opel Haynes Owners workshop manual but doesn't have a decent full electrical diagram (the Australian Gregory's are much better manuals, more comprehensive but they don't cover this vehicle)
Appreciate any feedback,
cheers..

gazzyd

i lost Radio first the power steering and then the battery light decided to come on looked it up in my booklet and it says it's the alternator lol haven't looked at the car for 2 weeks now Maybe it's fixed itself with abit of luck lmao