I'm now back to electronauting Mrs PaulFs' Avant.
The problem is the alternator sometimes takes a long while to come on-line.
On my saloon, I start the car, and the voltmeter drops to 10-12 volts or so. Once started, the battery recovers, and the voltage goes up to 12-13 volts. After a brief wait (less than a minute) the generator comes on-line, and the voltage goes up to 14-ish volts - and a 'click' is heard.
On hers, after start the battery recovers, but the voltage can take an age to come up, although it is above the 13 volts. It is worse in the cold, being almost unnoticeable in the summer. If this is in the winter, putting lights, heated seats and blower on cause the voltmeter reading to drop, and the voltage actually does - the lights dim!
When it does eventually come on-line, the 'click' is heard, and there is no further issue
I have changed dashboards (for another reason) so it's not the gauge, and I've changed the alternator for another (used) unit, so think it unlikely to be that. I also changed the battery for a giant sized unit - still the same! What brings the alternator on-line - I assume there is no dedicated GCU, so assume a relay control somewhere?
I haven't looked into the wiring yet - as once again, I have SVG Viewer issues!!
Has anybody else had this fault?
It's not the end of the world, but with the cold, dark Scottish winter lurking I would like to sort this for her.
Paul
The problem is the alternator sometimes takes a long while to come on-line.
On my saloon, I start the car, and the voltmeter drops to 10-12 volts or so. Once started, the battery recovers, and the voltage goes up to 12-13 volts. After a brief wait (less than a minute) the generator comes on-line, and the voltage goes up to 14-ish volts - and a 'click' is heard.
On hers, after start the battery recovers, but the voltage can take an age to come up, although it is above the 13 volts. It is worse in the cold, being almost unnoticeable in the summer. If this is in the winter, putting lights, heated seats and blower on cause the voltmeter reading to drop, and the voltage actually does - the lights dim!
When it does eventually come on-line, the 'click' is heard, and there is no further issue
I have changed dashboards (for another reason) so it's not the gauge, and I've changed the alternator for another (used) unit, so think it unlikely to be that. I also changed the battery for a giant sized unit - still the same! What brings the alternator on-line - I assume there is no dedicated GCU, so assume a relay control somewhere?
I haven't looked into the wiring yet - as once again, I have SVG Viewer issues!!
Has anybody else had this fault?
It's not the end of the world, but with the cold, dark Scottish winter lurking I would like to sort this for her.
Paul