Sediment/charge light - towing caravan or oil change? HELP!

[apssrf]

Any help much appreciated!

Story starts last week - took beloved Bongo into a new garage for an oil and filter change. Ran fine for a few days. This morning hitched caravan for the first time this year. Towed 20 miles and dropped off caravan at service centre (ready for holiday next weekend). Drove another 20 miles to visit relatives. About 4pm switched engine on for return journey. sediment and charge light stayed on for whole journey home. Got home and switched engine off. Tried to switch back on, classic flat battery. I have checked on here and seems like alternator could have packed up. However, husband is wondering if this could have been caused in any way by:

a) new garage 'messing' with alternator/battery wheh they changed the oil and filter. Would they have had to go anywhere near it?
b) towing the caravan? I guess the extra electric drawn through the caravan might have just finished it off?

Any ideas or advice gratefully received?

Many thanks.
Jackie

[missfixit70]

They could have dribbled oil into the alternator if they were careless, they shouldn't have been anywhere near the wiring, (but check the connections are ok anyway) or it could as you say, be the extra load of the caravan electrics that was the straw that broke the camels back.
See if you can get it jumpstarted or charge the battery up enough to get it started & see what voltage you've got with the engine running.

[mister munkey]

Deffo sounds like a shot alternator. Hard to tell what might have caused it but they have a finite lifespan despite any possible human error, it could just be that.

I managed to get mine rebuilt localy for £70 when it first failed a couple of years ago, failed again over christmas time so have a new one now from Bongobits. About £130 inc delivery but cant see it listed on their website at the mo . . .

[madmile]

Is it possible that you have a basic split charge relay connected to he alternator so as to power the caravan electrics when towing (ie double rear socket).
Not sure if this is likely as I would think the relay would work all the time (not sure however), but bongos dont like split charging relays connected this way and if so a classic sign is dim lighting of charge and sediment light.
If its on all the time (even not towing) and brightly lit, then it more likely to be another problem.

[apssrf]

Hi everyone

Thanks for prompt replies. I don't think it's a general problem with towing the caravan as we towed all last year no probs. The charge/sediment light has never been lit up before (dimly or brightly) until today when they both stayed on after turning the engine on and are very bright.

I am starting to think it is pretty much definitely the alternator - gulp (waves bye bye to a big chunk of cash!) Will take Bongo into garage on Mon and see what they think.

[mikeonb4c]

Hi everyone

Thanks for prompt replies. I don't think it's a general problem with towing the caravan as we towed all last year no probs. The charge/sediment light has never been lit up before (dimly or brightly) until today when they both stayed on after turning the engine on and are very bright.

I am starting to think it is pretty much definitely the alternator - gulp (waves bye bye to a big chunk of cash!) Will take Bongo into garage on Mon and see what they think.

Members Ebygum32 and Tonic are breaking Bongos. They may still have 2nd hand ones for sale if price is low enough and condition is OK.

[apssrf]

Took her into garage today. It is the alternator, garage said their supplier was quoting £200 so I phoned supplier recommended in another thread "starter motor and alternator company" in Plymouth. They had one for £120 + £15 next day delivery so it's in the post now. Garage said not a big job to fix so hopefully will come in under £200 for cost of part and fitting.

Thanks to all for help - this website is brilliant!! As a non-car minded woman, it's lovely to be able to walk into a garage and say "we have a problem and I think it's the alternator or the battery if you wouldn't mind checking it out please?" (I only know this after getting advice on here!) So thanks again from a very grateful person!

Jackie

[mikeonb4c]

Took her into garage today. It is the alternator, garage said their supplier was quoting £200 so I phoned supplier recommended in another thread "starter motor and alternator company" in Plymouth. They had one for £120 + £15 next day delivery so it's in the post now. Garage said not a big job to fix so hopefully will come in under £200 for cost of part and fitting.

Thanks to all for help - this website is brilliant!! As a non-car minded woman, it's lovely to be able to walk into a garage and say "we have a problem and I think it's the alternator or the battery if you wouldn't mind checking it out please?" (I only know this after getting advice on here!) So thanks again from a very grateful person!

Jackie

No worries. Alternators going is pretty normal on cars once age and mileage have taken their toll. You are right - this site makes such a difference. Its ironic, but I reckon it makes what might be a scary car to own actually easier than owning a lot of ordinary ones. Weird