stvekay Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I have just had a new LFD 90 Varta battery fitted as engine starter. I went to use the van today after a short drive the red ignition light shows. On restarting it goes out for a minute or so then shows again. When the engine is running the on board meter shows 12. When turned off it shows 12.2 rising to 12.4. Mechanic friend put meter on battery when engine running it showed no charge. Does this sound like an alternator failure? Thanks Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Not necessarily. The fact that your Ignition Warning light is intermittent might be a poor connection on this circuit? If the Alternator is not getting a good 12v feed through the Ignition Warning light (D+) circuit the Coils won't be energised so the Alternator won't output any charge. It may be the Alternator failing, but they normally get overloaded and burn out. Not so usual to light the Ignition warning lamp on an intermittent basis. Was the battery in a really poor way when it was replaced Can you tell us more about the history, initial symptoms, mileage, battery condition, etc? Has the engine every been run without the battery connected while testing was done or anything like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stvekay Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 No initial symtoms ignition light just goes out after a minute or so and doesnt come back on. After fitting new battery I put on Electric hu for 24 hours new battery was 12.8 then dropped again to 12.4 after a few hours. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stvekay Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 old battery was reading 12.4 dropping to 12.2. 10 year old Rapido 9048 55000 miles. Engine not run whilst battery disconnected. sorry didnt answer this just now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 You probably didn't answer it because I edited and added it after posting!!! If the ignition warning light is no longer intermittent along with the voltage dropping, suggests the Alternator Coils are drawing power through the voltage regulator which has maybe failed short circuit? I suggest you should charge the battery off the vehicle and then drive to a nearby auto Sparky? If he is a good Sparky he might be able to rebuild the Alternator for you? Might be a lot cheaper than a new one, unless you buy a Latvian version? On the ones we did, very rarely any Bearing or Coil failures, almost always overloading of the electronic components which a Sparky should find easy to swap. Strongly suggest you don't go to a Motorhome or general Garage if you want a cost effective fix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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