Member Since: 04 Jan 2016
Location: Preston
Posts: 33
Has my alternator failed?
Yesterday I was running radio comms from the top of a hill so I didn't bother to lock my car and I was only about 20-30 meters away at all times and went back to it regularly, I had the drivers window open and I was opening the drivers door frequently but turning the interior light off whenever it turned on. I also used off-road height, ggs and hdc a fair bit as I had to drive to the top of the hill and back down 4 times.
When I set off at the end of the day to go back down I noticed my battery light was on and I just assumed it was a low battery because something was probably draining the battery. So I set off home and everything was fine until about 15 mins into the drive, lights started flashing and beeping and warning messaged said, suspension fault, transmission failure, park brake fault.
So I pulled over into a layby and tried turning off then back on but there was nothing at all, it wouldn't let me even crank it. For some reason it also put itself into off-road height.
I got the RAC to take me home, and chatting to the recovery chap he seemed to think it was the alternator.
I took a video of the lights while I was waiting. There was even more lights when I was driving.
8th May 2016 5:51 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
Yep, failed alternator.
Be warned, a failed ( failing ) alternator can take the battery with it by causing a dead short.
Best option is to disconnect the battery before it dies, change the alternator, hopefully normal service gets resumed.
TBH, it does sounds like you're in for an alternator and a battery.
Go for a Denso alternator ( or one that's been refurbed by the experts on here ) and search the forum for a suitable battery. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
8th May 2016 5:55 pm
Gaz1336
Member Since: 04 Jan 2016
Location: Preston
Posts: 33
Cheers for confirming that Narpy
Its got a warranty so I'll get it done under that and hopefully be able to spec a Denso one.
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
Yep, that'll do you. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
8th May 2016 6:03 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
That's the one. Do a search for discount codes, may be some around.
8th May 2016 6:04 pm
Jarvis
Member Since: 16 Dec 2009
Location: West Berkshire
Posts: 280
My turn now ...
Jumped in the old girl this morning to go to work and after 200 yds got the battery light on
Turned round and came home then checked Vbat, 12.4V engine off and 13.3V engine ticking over reaching a max of 13.5V with engine revved. Time for new alternator from Steve @ AF
Hoping the rain is gone tomorrow when I fit it
11th May 2016 8:28 am
Jarvis
Member Since: 16 Dec 2009
Location: West Berkshire
Posts: 280
Alternator arrived from AF at 8:30am and fitted by 11am, now no battery light! Hope the battery has survived the ordeal
12th May 2016 10:23 am
Gaz1336
Member Since: 04 Jan 2016
Location: Preston
Posts: 33
Mines back on the road with a new battery and Denso alternator.
12th May 2016 5:06 pm
adz1282
Member Since: 04 Apr 2016
Location: Holmfirth
Posts: 56
Did anyone's speedo fail whilst this was going on? I have a similar problem but my speedo has stopped working.
16th May 2016 3:51 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
Don't think mine did but was more focused on the red light.
16th May 2016 4:02 pm
SteveyB
Member Since: 22 Jan 2016
Location: Livingston
Posts: 47
It may be a bit of a dumb question sorry, but are there any pre warning signs that an alternator may be on its way out or do they just fail. I know voltage output should be between 13.8 and 14.2 volts. The reason I ask is that I have a monitor in the car that measures output constantly so is there something I should watch out for ?2007 HSE - 96k miles
New belts + tensioners.
V8 Brake upgrade.
EGR blank and remap.
Autobox flushed +new filter.
Diffs and trans box oil changed.
16th May 2016 4:08 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
adz1282 wrote:
Did anyone's speedo fail whilst this was going on? I have a similar problem but my speedo has stopped working.
Yes, this can happen as the failing output from the alternator can produce enough AC noise to kill the signal from the wheel-speed sensors.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
SteveyB wrote:
It may be a bit of a dumb question sorry, but are there any pre warning signs that an alternator may be on its way out or do they just fail. I know voltage output should be between 13.8 and 14.2 volts. The reason I ask is that I have a monitor in the car that measures output constantly so is there something I should watch out for ?
The voltage changes depending on the battery state of charge and the inferred temperature of the battery - all controlled by the main engine control unit. As such there is no fixed range (your 13.8v to 14.2v) like you would get from a dumb alternator. When the weather is cooler the D3 alternator will be pushing well over 15v.
There are a number of tests that can be done on alternator but noticing a change in voltage from that noted previously (in similar conditions) is a good place to start.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
Plug in ciggie lighter volt readout like in this pic (above the beer bottle) are very useful, show how your voltage is changing so you can see if things change. May not be spot-on accurate but will always have same drop so good for spotting drops. Cheap as chips.
Click image to enlarge
16th May 2016 4:46 pm
SteveyB
Member Since: 22 Jan 2016
Location: Livingston
Posts: 47
Thanks, yes that's the one I have. So I guess it's just a matter of watching for voltages outside of the normal range it usually displays as a pre cursor to a potential failure.2007 HSE - 96k miles
New belts + tensioners.
V8 Brake upgrade.
EGR blank and remap.
Autobox flushed +new filter.
Diffs and trans box oil changed.
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