Battery light comming on at random times...

10409 Views 28 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Tonatom, Jul 24, 2017

starfinder

Discussion Starter · Jul 14, 2012

Driving home from work last week I notiched my "check battery light" came on, but being like 20 miles from home - I just kept on driving.
20 seconds later, it went off again... 2 minutes later.. it came on again... and so on and so forth, until I got home.

Called my local mechanic and he said either the alternator or the relay for the alternator had to be changed.

Since a brand new alternator is about 950 USD here in denmark, I asked him to replace the relay (carbon rods).
I just got the car back yesterday - and driving home (15 miles), everything was fine.
Then, today it came on again, and went off again - just as it did last week - while driving.

I need help in trying to figure out what the issue is.
I have replaced the stock radio with a double din non can-bus radio, pulling 12V from the ODB connector, and 12v ignition from the 12v cigarette lighter - I dont know if that would cause the onboard computer to think there's faulty power/current?
Furthermore I notice that when i lift off the throttle, the air con "slows down" as does the light dimmer (ever so slightly)..
It seems there's not enough power - which would cause the "check battery" light to come on?

Help! Do I need a new alternator.. or battery.. or do I need to re-wire the radio.. or is it something else?

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

Francois

· #2 · Jul 14, 2012

I know that 2007 CRD Calibers are changing the original battery as us with the petrol engine also.

Seems that the originals are dying on us.

Better knowledgeable members will kime in on electrical issues

Hang in there

Aleks

· #3 · Jul 14, 2012

I would try recharging the battery first.

starfinder

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 14, 2012

Aleks .. I drive about 80 km/day .. wouldent that in it self recharge the battery?

Aleks

· #5 · Jul 14, 2012

Not at all over time, with an older battery, or some weakness in your charging system.

Flyinghigh

· #6 · Jul 14, 2012

If you have a shop or a parts store that can "load test" the battery for you, that's what you need to have done. It sounds to me like the battery is starting to die on you.

starfinder

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 15, 2012

Flyinghigh said:
If you have a shop or a parts store that can "load test" the battery for you, that's what you need to have done. It sounds to me like the battery is starting to die on you.

Ill check and see if my mechanic can do that. I must say though - if it is the battery, should I not have issues starting the car? It starts first time, every time....

Prop1

· #8 · Jul 15, 2012

Sounds to me like the decoupling pulley is going bad. First sign would be when the alternator isn't spinning fast enough to keep up with the draw. And it can be intermittent at first.

Reactions: 1

starfinder

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 15, 2012

Prop1 said:
Sounds to me like the decoupling pulley is going bad. First sign would be when the alternator isn't spinning fast enough to keep up with the draw. And it can be intermittent at first.

Hey. Thanks for the suggestion.
I will "debug" the pulley and see if it needs replacement.

Just found an alternator + new decoupling pulley on ebay for 150 £ - thats not that bad..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/A618-DODG...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item564a248dcb

Aleks

· #10 · Jul 15, 2012

There is no history of the diesel alternators having any issues.
How do you know this has a new decoupler pulley.

The advice given in your listing is pertinent

Before buying please check the following

The battery is in good working order

The engine earth is not loose broken or corroded

The fan belt is not loose

The wiring connections are correct and not broken loose or corroded

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starfinder

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 16, 2012 (Edited)

Little update.
Tried sitting with the car in neutral at 2500 rpm (this is amongst other things, what girlfriends are for) - then shutting off the car, while listening for "mis sounds" from the alternator. When the car was shut off - it most of all sounded like a broken ball baring. As per the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrFcPqZuO3A#t=02m50s

The only reason for buying the entire alternator is that I couldent find the pulley as a single part.

Oh, also.. When driving - if the "check battery light" came on, I could solve it by simply shifting down in gear.. and hitting the throttle.. That worked for about 10 min, then the battery light just came on. Barely made it home before the battery died - I think i have 1 or 2 starts back in the battery before it needs to be recharged. (Check battery light is on all the time now)

Aleks said:
There is no history of the diesel alternators having any issues.
How do you know this has a new decoupler pulley.

The advice given in your listing is pertinent

Before buying please check the following

The battery is in good working order - I have checked that like 2 weeks ago when installing the new stereo, was fine then.

The engine earth is not loose broken or corroded - dont know where it is on the caliber?

The fan belt is not loose - fan belt is very tight.

The wiring connections are correct and not broken loose or corroded - they are good to the battery, alternator is very hard to get to...

Reactions: 1

bigtsr

· #12 · Jul 16, 2012

Great and informative post tnx.

Flyinghigh

· #13 · Jul 16, 2012

So, I'm guessing that you replaced the alternator and that took care of the problem?

Aleks

· #14 · Jul 16, 2012 (Edited)

Dodge Caliber 2.0 CRD VW alternator fitted to

AUDI A3 2.0 TDI (8P) 08-
AUDI A3 2.0 TDI AT (8P) 08-
AUDI A4 2.0 TDI (8E) 04-09
AUDI A4 2.0 TDI AT (8E) 04-09
CHRYSLER Sebring 2.0 CRD 06-
DODGE Avenger 2.0 CRD 07-
DODGE Caliber 2.0 CRD 06-
FORD Galaxy 2.8i 24V 00-
JEEP Compass 2.0 CRD 06-
JEEP Patriot 2.0 CRD 06-
SEAT Alhambra 2.8 (7V9) 00-02
SEAT Alhambra 2.8 4-Motion (7V9) 02
VW VOLKSWAGEN California 2.8 V6 70 00-03
VW VOLKSWAGEN California 3.2 (T5) 03-04
VW VOLKSWAGEN Caravelle 2.8 V6 70 00-03
VW VOLKSWAGEN Caravelle 2.8 V6 70 AT 00-03
VW VOLKSWAGEN Golf VI 2.0 TDI (5K) 08-09
VW VOLKSWAGEN Multivan 2.8 V6 70 00-03
VW VOLKSWAGEN Multivan 2.8 V6 AT 70 00-03
VW VOLKSWAGEN Multivan 3.2 T5 03-04
VW VOLKSWAGEN Sharan 2.8 VR6 00-
VW VOLKSWAGEN Sharan 2.8 VR6 Syncro 00-
VW VOLKSWAGEN Transporter 2.8 V6 70 00-03
VW VOLKSWAGEN Transporter 2.8 V6 AT 70 00-01
VW VOLKSWAGEN Transporter 3.2 (T5) 03-

Alternator cross-reference part numbers

DELCO REMY EXC DRB5340
DELCO REMY EXC DRB5360
HELLA REF CA1763
HELLA REF CA1782
LUCAS ELSTOCK LRA02291
LUCAS ELSTOCK LRA02318
LUCAS EXC LRA2291
LUCAS EXC LRA2318
WOODS ALT10353
BOSCH 0124525039
BOSCH 0124525050
BOSCH 0124525065
BOSCH 0124525066
BOSCH 0124525091
BOSCH 0124525092
BOSCH 0124525128
BOSCH 0124615017
BOSCH 0124615038
BOSCH 0986045340
BOSCH 0986045360
BOSCH 0986048180
FORD 1188206
FORD YM2110300CA
ISKRA IA1164
RML PART No. 100-264
VALEO 2542695
VALEO 2542898
VALEO 437454
VALEO 437526
VALEO TG14C011
VALEO TG14C015
VALEO TG14C016
VW 021903026A
VW 022903028A
VW 06F903023A
VW 06F903023C
VW 06F903023F
VW 06F903023H
VW 06F903023J

http://sp.psh.nl/view/0.124.615.017

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Reactions: 1

Aleks

· #15 · Jul 16, 2012

Clutch Pulley for CRD 2.0 Alternator

trying to track down a part number

http://motor.sormor.com/Product/Pulleys/8616024.6.html

http://www.woodauto.com/Unit.aspx?Man=BOSCH&Ref=0124525050

This Unit Uses a 6-Groove Clutch Pulley.

Reactions: 1

starfinder

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 16, 2012

Flyinghigh said:
So, I'm guessing that you replaced the alternator and that took care of the problem?

Alternator being shipped from the UK to Denmark... Price for the alternator in denmark is a staggering 250 £ .. on ebay.. 160 £.. So I can wait a few days and drive around in the misses Renault..

Flyinghigh

· #17 · Jul 17, 2012

Capitalism is alive and doing well in Denmark too, huh?

starfinder

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 17, 2012

Flyinghigh said:
Capitalism is alive and doing well in Denmark too, huh?

180% (not 18%) tax on cars... so.. yeah.. by capitalism if you mean the government taking everything.. yes..

DKazoroski

· #19 · Jul 22, 2012

Flyinghigh said:
Capitalism is alive and doing well in Denmark too, huh?

starfinder said:
180% (not 18%) tax on cars... so.. yeah.. by capitalism if you mean the government taking everything.. yes..

Sounds more like socialism to me!! Rob from the middle class to pay for the poor!
(the rich always avoid taxes - in socialism, the only rich are the "government insiders")

Flyinghigh

· #20 · Jul 22, 2012

It appears that we're rapidly heading towards Socialism here, Dave. We have GOT to vote out EVERY incumbent in the upcoming election. I don't care what party who belongs too. Career politicians need to be eliminated. It used to be an honor and privilege to be elected and represent your constituents. Now, once these jerks get elected, all they want to do is screw over the working class. It's time for a change. (Stepping off the soap-box now).

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

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