Battery or Alternator Stuffed?

[faroogoo]

Ok in my brothers VT V6 Calais,the battery light come on a couple of days ago & stayed on it still started & ran ok until today when we tried to start it it was dead.

I just jumped it & it ran & drove no problems which leads me to believe that its probably not the alternator because it wouldnt have kept running once i disconected the jumper leads right?.

Plus i just checked it again just now & it starts no problems.

So would it be the battery more than likely not holding charge? Just want to get everyones opinion before we buy a new battery.


Thanks

[don0xer]

get a battery charger, charge ur battery up overnight and if it holds its charge the battery would be alright, if not your alternator would be the next thing to look at... more so the brushes on your alternator are a common thing to crap themselfs

[frogslapper]

It will be the alternator 4 sure.Very common problem on that model.
The battery cable on the alternator also can be a problem as they come loose and short out.

The battery will be fine just flat,give it a good charge.

[NVE_069]

Mine just did this the other night. ( Bloody Loose Terminal ) Check that 1st

[calais_cruzin]

Jst get a multi meter if its sittin on around 14-14.4v with car running alt is good, if its at around 12v with car running ur alternator aint workin

[NVE_069]

MM I did that hidden dash thing on mine ( HOLD UP/MODE ) together and comes up eith extra things, And the volts on mine sit at 12 something?

[faroogoo]

Edit** Voltage is sitting on 12.5 off & while running,so looks like its the alternator.

Anyone recommend a good workshop in Adelaide for a reco unit?

[pablo]

Before you get too excited, check the brushes, they may be worn out. The regulator and brush assembly are held in place at the back of the altenator by 2 screws. Its about the size of a matchbox and simply lifts out.

[stocky]

checked the fusible link? im assuming VTs have them. a small brown wire coming off the positive battery terminal. check continuity on that with a multimeter

[faroogoo]

Before you get too excited, check the brushes, they may be worn out. The regulator and brush assembly are held in place at the back of the altenator by 2 screws. Its about the size of a matchbox and simply lifts out.

Yeah i bought a new regulator unit for it hoping that would be it & it still no difference...not happy

checked the fusible link? im assuming VTs have them. a small brown wire coming off the positive battery terminal. check continuity on that with a multimeter

Theres 2 wires running together in the loom from the positive terminal into a connector 1 of thems brown i think the other one is purple(cant remember exactly) this would be it yeah?

[commsirac]

Ok in my brothers VT V6 Calais,the battery light come on a couple of days ago So would it be the battery more than likely not holding charge? Just want to get everyones opinion before we buy a new battery.


Thanks

sounds like you have it worked out now.

Just for future reference, the "battery light" really only indicates a problem with the charging system and not the battery.

[stocky]

Yeah i bought a new regulator unit for it hoping that would be it & it still no difference...not happy



Theres 2 wires running together in the loom from the positive terminal into a connector 1 of thems brown i think the other one is purple(cant remember exactly) this would be it yeah?

yeah id be checking the brown one, but check both anyway for continuity. if there isnt any on the brown one, youll need a new fusible link which should cost hardly anything

[faroogoo]

Before you get too excited, check the brushes, they may be worn out. The regulator and brush assembly are held in place at the back of the altenator by 2 screws. Its about the size of a matchbox and simply lifts out.

yeah id be checking the brown one, but check both anyway for continuity. if there isnt any on the brown one, youll need a new fusible link which should cost hardly anything

No worries mate,il get onto that first thing tomorrow hopefully thats all it would be...but its never that easy is it

[faroogoo]

Ended up being burnt out diodes inside the alternator

[chad.1972au]

just a mention on this problem - if u ever don;t have a battery light when u first turn the key on it means ur regulator is screwed