I had a minor breakdown this evening . However it was on a busy dual carriageway in the dark and scared the crap out of me! Driving along, the charge light came on for at least 10 seconds and the engine appeared to loose power. I immediatedly pulled over and shut the engine off. A quick check showed the fan belt to be OK and tensioned OK, but the engine seemed to be slow to turn over as if the battery was nearly flat. I called the AA, who turned up and checked out the battery - power output appeared OK. Then asked me to turn over the engine - all OK and fired up OK. Checked output from the alternator which was between 13 - 14V so that seems healthy enough. The alternator was only fitted a couple of years ago. The AA man followed me the 3 miles home and all seems OK. Engine ticking over OK, pulling fine up the hills. So has anyone got any idea what the hell happened and where I should look first? I hate intermitant faults Engine is a 1600 rebuilt approx 5K ago, running standard Solex carb, 009 with Petronix. Neither the AA man nor I could find any obvious loose connections to the battery or alternator. Ideas?
Sounds like something may have got to hot and started binding up, then cooled again. Sure one of the others will know what happened.
Must admit, I did wonder if it might have been the alternator seizing. Just didn't have the presence of mind to feel it to see if it was hot. There were 44 tonners getting a bit too close and I was keeping on the verge out the way. Engine was not overheating though??
