Battery or alternator?

[kieran lloyd]

Hi

Last night I noticed that my headlights and interior light is flickering and if i put radio and air con on too I then lose the lights for the window switches.

I have tested battery today it was reading 12.1 with car turned off. Once running the 14.7

Just to confirm it will be the battery that needs replacing not the alternator?

 

[majeric]

Hi

Last night I noticed that my headlights and interior light is flickering and if i put radio and air con on too I then lose the lights for the window switches.

I have tested battery today it was reading 12.1 with car turned off. Once running the 14.7

Just to confirm it will be the battery that needs replacing not the alternator?

I had my clock and mileage flickering on my dash.
Was told to change the battery. Tbh, it had the original battery that was 10 years old. So I changed it.
Didn’t fix the flickering clock. Was going to do the alternator at some point as a next step.
Changed the reverse switch in the gearbox as the switch was busted, some how that fixed my dash issue.

If I were you, I’d consider changing the battery first...how old is it?


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[kieran lloyd]

I replaced the battery and still am have flickering lights etc.

Any other ideas?

 

[nluk100]

12.1v is too low for a battery that should have a full charge - it should be around 12.6v. 14.7 is a decent charge voltage so that rules out the alternator. Time for a new battery - checkout eurocarparts or gsf when they have a weekend discount code for upto 60% off.

 

[kieran lloyd]

I put a new battery on and turned car on and lights and was still doing it. I didn't let it run for long but I assumed it would fix it straight away.

 

[kieran lloyd]

After further inspection I have found this...

Can I get a replacement cable for this?

 

[majeric]

I would use some solder crimps.

Basically these

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[kieran lloyd]

I've just bought some so hopefully I can report back tomorrow with good news

 

[LEE69]

You need some heat to melt the ring of solder

 

[kieran lloyd]

I got a good connection and still no luck.

upon looking today it seems like it pulsates in line with the engine ticking over.

It is all working fine until I turn on the engine, would it be the alternator?

 

[SootySport]

If the alternator rectifiers are goosed then ac voltage can come out instead of a nice smooth 12v DC and make lights flicker. Non original led bulbs will be most affected and others can flicker but not so much.
First I would go through all the Battery connections and fuse boxes and check how clean they are. If you have a meter, switch it to AC scale and see if you get a reading. If all else fails then have the alternator off the car and tested by a reconditioning shop, there’s a few around including Bosch Service centres.

 

[kieran lloyd]

If the alternator rectifiers are goosed then ac voltage can come out instead of a nice smooth 12v DC and make lights flicker. Non original led bulbs will be most affected and others can flicker but not so much.
First I would go through all the Battery connections and fuse boxes and check how clean they are. If you have a meter, switch it to AC scale and see if you get a reading. If all else fails then have the alternator off the car and tested by a reconditioning shop, there’s a few around including Bosch Service centres.

When turning it to ac scale where should I be testing it? On the battery terminals?

 

[SootySport]

Yes , on battery with engine running.

 

[kieran lloyd]

Yes , on battery with engine running.

Okay thanks so what would a healthy reading be if it's not the alternator?

 

[SootySport]

Shiuldnt read anything on AC scale. In DC scale it should read 13.5 to 14.5volts