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stevebod
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
416 Posts

Posted - 25 Sep 2017 :  19:10:22 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi Folks,
I have a charge light anomolly which I'd appreciate opinions on in case I'm about to breakdown.
I used the car for a 60 mile jaunt on Saturday - no issues.
On Sunday when I started it I noticed the charge light glowing dimly. Then, when I rev'd the car up a bit it went brighter and as the rev's slowed it went dimmer (the opposite to what I would expect).
This evening I tried it again and the same symptoms occurred.
After a few moments of rev'ing the light stays out.
What do you think?
Regulator problems?
Belt slipping?
Alternator brushes?
Or leave it and see?
Would appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks.

UK_Sub
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
2554 Posts

Posted - 25 Sep 2017 :  21:25:41 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Have you got a volt meter to check if the battery is charging - to prove whether the alternator is working or not?
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stevebod
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
416 Posts

Posted - 26 Sep 2017 :  09:37:16 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks for the reply.
Yes I have a voltmeter, but car electrics have always confused me.
What sort of voltage should I look for across the battery; would it be something like 14v?
I've never understood why it isn't 12v.
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UK_Sub
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
2554 Posts

Posted - 26 Sep 2017 :  12:14:39 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I'm no expert either!

Test the battery at rest - it should be around 12v - then start up the car and see what the voltage is - it should increase to about 13v'ish.

Let us know how you get on.
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gorselands
Starting Member

United Kingdom
22 Posts

Posted - 26 Sep 2017 :  17:18:27 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Make sure battery is charged - 12.5 volts. Start engine - set voltmeter to DC volts and running you should be showing about 14 volts. If belt not slipping try regulator and gently clean up contacts. I had similar problem - insufficient output. Swapped alternator to one from 900 and changed the pulley. sorted the problem.
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Mr Burrrrrrrrrrt
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
344 Posts

Posted - 27 Sep 2017 :  11:39:05 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Could also be a fuse not making proper contact or a bad earth on the dash.
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stevebod
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
416 Posts

Posted - 27 Sep 2017 :  19:32:40 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks for the pointers guys.
Tonight I measured 12.53v with the engine off and then 13.33v with it running. Does this sounds reasonable?
In the meantime the charge light is behaving again, ha, so perhaps a slipping belt or an intermittent fault.
I have an MOT next Monday so just wanted to make sure I get there on time.
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Derek
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
2187 Posts

Posted - 28 Sep 2017 :  11:20:23 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Those numbers look fine. Good luck with the MOT.
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stevebod
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
416 Posts

Posted - 29 Sep 2017 :  20:23:35 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks Derek.
I used the car today with no problem so I think it will be OK for the MOT.
Cheers.
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fuling
Starting Member

Sweden
32 Posts

Posted - 30 Sep 2017 :  13:13:59 Show Profile Reply with Quote
What is MOT ????

Check the wires / leads / cable (black & red and yellow) between the regulator and the alternator.
On red wire there is a T-connection, between the regulator and the alternator,
1 on regulator, 1 on alternator and 1 on charge light.
Bad contact can cause strange phenomena, voltage cases, etc. (charge light glowing dimly)
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deggsie
V4 Fanatic

United Kingdom
431 Posts

Posted - 30 Sep 2017 :  14:09:42 Show Profile Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by fuling
What is MOT ????

It is an annual safety, roadworthiness and emissions test for motor vehicles of a certain age, its name comes from "Ministry of Transport" test. I think in Sweden it is called 'bilbesiktning'.

Under a recent change, it will not be needed for vehicles over 40 years old from May 2018 (bad move IMHO).

... and before you ask, IMHO = "In my humble opinion"

MVH
Derek


___________________________
Saab - beyond the conventional !
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fuling
Starting Member

Sweden
32 Posts

Posted - 30 Sep 2017 :  14:32:24 Show Profile Reply with Quote
deggsie / Derek
Thank you 1. MOT = ''bilbesiktning''
Thank you 2. IMHO (explanation)
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 30 Sep 2017 :  21:47:17 Show Profile Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by deggsie
Under a recent change, it will not be needed for vehicles over 40 years old from May 2018 (bad move IMHO).
In NL vehicles over 50 years old will be MOT exempt from May 2018. Would the timing be a coincidence? Anyway, equally bad move I'd say. I don't mind someone else periodically checking my best efforts.

www.saabv4.com
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pchristy
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1790 Posts

Posted - 01 Oct 2017 :  13:00:38 Show Profile Reply with Quote
If I understand it correctly, you can still submit your car for an annual MOT, its just not a legal requirement anymore. However, having a current MOT - even if its not a legal requirement - might make life easier in the event of an accident, and the insurance people raising questions about the vehicles' road-worthiness - especially if its the only time a professional mechanic ever goes near it!

And I completely agree - its a dumb move!

--
Pete
"Duct tape is like the Force: It has a light side and a dark side, and it binds the Universe together!"
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