battery light come on and battery is dead

D

dazols

Member
 Essex
Hi all

I was on my way home friday and the battery light come on. I have not had any problem's with the battery before. I only use the car two day's a week but always starts first time. I read on here that it can be the battery that needs changing so today i got a new one. I have just fitted it and its the same, it ran about a minute then battery light come on again. I have not got a tester but will be picking one up tomorrow to see if its getting a charge from the alternator. Has anyone had this problem before? The battery was flat by the time i got home. The car shut down the power steering where it was so flat.
 
Starting simples check the security and continuity of all high tension leads and earth straps on the battery, alternator and starter, and that the alternator belt is in place and not slipping.
Your post isn't 100% clear but did the new battery actually discharge and go flat in a few minutes or was it just that the battery light came on? If it discharged rapidly in minutes, then you have a high draw open circuit (probably in the starter or alternator or a damaged loom) and it will be a fire hazard if you re-connect a charged battery without finding the source of the problem, so don't.
If the battery remained OK but the battery light came on with the engine running you probably have a charging fault with the alternator. The basic DIY test with a volt meter involves measuring over the +/- terminals without the engine running looking for about 12.4 ish Volts (good battery). Then with the engine running and electrical accessories OFF a healthy alternator should be giving around 13.7v - 14.5v. Stick a load of accessories on then see if the voltage drops below 13V, if so the alternator is functioning but marginal and is on it's way out. If the alternator is duff a replacement is a fairly routine job.

There are all sorts of other less likely possibilities but loose connections or dead alternator are the front runners. Good luck and let us know how it goes :thumbsup:
 
Sorry was a bit unclear. The old battery went flat by the time i got home around 10 miles. I then put a new battery on tonight and started the car fine but the battery light then came straight on. I have not taken the car for a drive just left it. I checked the belt and the alternator is spinning with no slips. I will put a tester on it tomorrow and see what the output is.
 
Yep it's the alternator put a voltage meter on it and it was not putting out any change. I now have a new one and got both belts so will put them on at the same time. Will do it Saturday afternoon and will be happy again. But I may be looking to change cars now. Not using it is not doing it any good. :cry:
 
Use is good but lack thereof probably didn't kill the alternator, if it's original and over 10 years old then to be expected :) glad it's an easy fix.
 
Well the new one is on and she is all working again. It took an hour for me and a friend to do and also changed both belts. Really pleased that its all working so will try to do the springs now.
 
Alternators contain consumable components such as carbon brushes and can be overhauled.

I am surprised that a battery would only run a Zed for 10 mins without being charged though!

Pleased you are sorted and back on the road anyway. :driving:
 
I was shocked about the battery so i have changed it with the new one so i know i won't have any problems.
 
Had the same problem on my E46 a few years back.

Battery light came on <10miles later headlights went...managed to crawl to my brothers. Try and restart the car - flat as a pancake.

I too was suprised how short a battery actually lasts without constant charge from the alternator. My alternator had not fully packed up, only its output dropped to 12or 13V.
 
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