Very intermitent Sediment and Charge light flashing

[Lewy]

I know that this often means alternator probs - it did last time I replaced the alternator anyway but this one seems a bit different.

Just checked the voltage across the terminals and got the following:

Battery voltage with engine off 12.6 - after a half hour journey

At tickover 14.0 - no load
At 2000 14.1 - no load

With everything on aircon, fans, lights, radio demister at tickover - 13.5 and at 2000 revs - 14.0v.

All this seems within normal readings. The other curious thing is my Mason dampened temp gauge fluctuates when the charge and sediment lights come on - but TM2 reads as normal so I think this is a voltage not a temp problem, and I noticed my brake warning light fluctuating a bit when carrying out the volt tests. The charge and sed lights dimmly flicker on intermitently when decelaterating or coming down hills with the throtle off and not when pulling away, steady driving or accelerating.

The battery is the original 1996 - but has never let me down but might well need replacing - I will check it later after a few hours and see if it has lost lots of charge - would a knackered battery cause voltage fluctuations like this?

I've had a bit of a look at the alternator for any obvious wires that may be loose or ropy but it seems fine.

How do you check the amps being pushed out by the alternator?

Any ideas or solutions?

[g8dhe]

How do you check the amps being pushed out by the alternator?

Normally with a DC Current Clamp Meter like this one


however you need to make sure of cable size (to fit the clamp around) and also note that cheaper devices are normally only AC current only.

[kelv]

Alternator £138 from Nippon in birmingham in case you need one.
Normally in stock.

[Lewy]

Thanks for those - lots of useful pointers - will check out the battery connections, clean them up and check for tightness.

Will punt for a new alternator if needs be, but not sure if that is the actual problem.

Have most people changed the original battery?

[kelv]

Mine are original, but they are getting a bit old now given the age of the Bongo.
Not sure what the najority have done.
Best of luck

[g8dhe]

Thanks for those - lots of useful pointers - will check out the battery connections, clean them up and check for tightness.

That is probably a good idea. The voltages you quoted in the first message all sound OK, so it tends to lead towards an intermittent problem, check also the nut and bolt that holds the fuses that are mounted directly onto the battery terminal the alternator charges the battery by way of the 100 Amp fuse so it might be worth checking/cleaning the connectors on that as well.