Yesterday, my housemate caled me in a panic - she went to a garage with the batt warning light on, and they said it was an alternator problem - apparently its only feeding the battery at 12v, but it should be at 14v - which i find hard to believe - would this not overcook the battery??

what do i know.
anyway, my point is the garage she went to must have seen her coming and wated £300 for a new alternator, and £100 labour for fitting.

apparently its the same model as an AX diesel, and a metro diesel - her car is a 106 1.5 diesel. shes going to take me to scrappy tomorrow to try and source another alternator.

does sound a load of crap, or does she need another one?

cheers gents
Tom

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10406&item=4541316927&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Usually they charge between 13.8 and 14.4volts from what I've found. The battery usually maintains something like 12.5+volts, they are telling the truth in that respect but it's always cheaper to scout round and do the job yourself. There's probably only 3 bolts to undo but they aren't always the easiest in the world to get at.

If you put a multi-meter across the terminals of a fully charged 12v battery you'll find it has a potential of about 13-14v.

Andy

im not sure that you are correct in saying the citreon and metro are the same engines as the 1.5. They def are in 1.4 alloy block form with them fooking leaky wet liners. But the 1.5 is a cast iron block. Sorry for rabbling on perhaps you better check the alternators are the same is what i meant to say.

thanks for the help guys, by the sound of it, ill be in for some greasy fun tomorrow. beats sitting in uni all day doing my damn dissertation!

Tom