Just got home and the van is running really well apart from one annoying thing! The battery light is on very, very faintly. There is no dipping in lights or power at junctions, starts fine and in all other respects is great. Had a new Bosch battery about a month ago as the old one was undersized and rubbish! Never had this before, but am assuming if its not a dodgy connection on the back on the fascia it's something to do with the alternator, but something in the back of my mind is connecting this to the new battery, any thoughts??
just check the output at the battery whilst running should be about 14.2 volts make sure that there is also a demand ie the lights on -
I'd say this isn't uncommon. First step is the measure the voltage at the battery with the engine running and alternator charging. Should be 13.5 to 14V. Are all your battery, alt and connections to the starter terminal clean? My personal theory (my van does the same), although I haven't experimented, is that it's due to the long cable runs to the alt bulb itself. You've got one long cable run to bring 12V to the fusebox, and another long run bringing the alt light output from the alt itself. Both of these will drop voltage, especially if the connectors are corroded, giving you that faint glow due to a voltage imbalance at the bulb itself.
mine does the same but charges well and i've checked all the above so i don't worry, you can only see it at night.
25000 miles and counting the same thing, no woes, no worries. Is strange yours started with a new battery. Cleaned clamps when replacing?
Mines done it for the last 18 years (ie it never hasnt) all is well but do the checks. Only notice it at night!
As said clean up all the terminals and you will properly find it goes out If not it may mean the alternator is on its way out so do keep a eye on it
So today the light decides to stay off, maybe she just wasn't feeling it yesterday? I've checked the battery at idle and running under load and its all good. Think I'll clean up the terminals at the weekend but apart from that just leave it well alone for now... Thanks for all the advice
OK so things have taken a turn for the worse! Went out last night and as it starts to get dark I put my lights on and sure enough I see the dim glow of the battery light. Unconcerned I continue driving until a nice old lady pulls up alongside me to say that my rear left light is flickering. Assuming it's a loose/poor connection I pull over, switch off, have a fiddle behind the light cluster and decide I will have a proper look when I get home. Get back in and the van is dead!!!! Brand new Bosch battery totally flat. Managed to get a jump start and set off home. Battery light gets stronger and have all the symptoms of a knackered alternator. But when I checked the alternator last week it was fine and the van has been running great and I have used it every day since with no problem. Limped home and the battery is completely flat. This is the first time the light has come on since my original post about a week ago, and on both occasions it has been when I've used the lights, all other times no drama. This morning I checked the connections behind the cluster and the earth looked a bit ropey, so I changed the connector, jumped the van and all is well, until I tried the indicator and the battery light came on faint, then the wipers, finally the lights and hey presto dead! My question is where the hell do I start........
Get the engine running and test the voltage on the battery it should be 14.5v Check the battery wires are making good contact and the earth lead under the van gearbox to chassis Check good cornections on back of starter
would suggest you get that new batt. load tested at a garage with proper test kit ,sometimes new stuff is duff, also do you have any aftermarket kit wired up in your bus?
I changed my dash light and put in LEDs Mack (mind you, all mine were dim not just the engine one) - now it's like a little disco in the dash
Nothing after market, all stock. Had the rear light clusters out today, cleaned them up, jumped the van and all good. Alternator, banging out well over 14v. Went for a nice drive to give it a bit of a charge, no drama. Indicators and horn all fine. On the way home Wipers running slowly (are fine when connected via jump leads to my Landy) and when I put the lights on, battery light on and drained the life out of it! Back on the drive, dead. Bosch battery has a 5 yr guarantee, so think I will change it anyway. Connections to starter motor are fine by the way, but someone has suggested it could be a 'bad earth' any advice welcome
