Battery Light On

Rp61973 · 3rd November 2016, 09:31

After a fast-ish run a couple of weeks ago, the battery light decided to energise at low revs. It extinguished as soon as the revs picked up over 1000 rpm. I managed to limp the car to work. On the way home the light came on at low revs for a few mins but then went out and didn't come back on.

I checked the power steering pump above - some very light oil seepage, but no evidence of any dripping on the alternator.

On today's journey to work the light came on permanently and won't go out irrespective of revs.

Is this a dead alternator? Has anyone any suggestions?

Many thanks. Paul

Davey1991 · 3rd November 2016, 09:34

Only way to diagnose is by checking voltage across the battery with vehicle running.

Should be high 13v's at idle if everything is okay.

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

stevestrat · 3rd November 2016, 10:18

Very similar thread already running. Might be some useful stuff here.

klarzy · 3rd November 2016, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rp61973

After a fast-ish run a couple of weeks ago, the battery light decided to energise at low revs. It extinguished as soon as the revs picked up over 1000 rpm. I managed to limp the car to work. On the way home the light came on at low revs for a few mins but then went out and didn't come back on.

I checked the power steering pump above - some very light oil seepage, but no evidence of any dripping on the alternator.

On today's journey to work the light came on permanently and won't go out irrespective of revs.

Is this a dead alternator? Has anyone any suggestions?

Many thanks. Paul

Check alternator charge controller pack and replace if brushes are worn..
Check alternator body for oil contamination from PS reservoir or engine oil filter.
check and clean all connections on alternator, starter motor NS suspension turret and battery

Rp61973 · 3rd November 2016, 11:01

Thanks. I assume it is an alternator out job to get access to the charge controller pack?

Mike Noc · 3rd November 2016, 11:07

Nope. It can be done with the alternator in place.

Rp61973 · 3rd November 2016, 12:05

Thanks guys. I will investigate and see what clues emerge.

Rp61973 · 27th March 2017, 11:50

Just got around to looking at this amongst managing major family crises and a house rebuild. The car has been sitting on the lawn since November so I desperately need to get it back on the road before the combination of inactivity and damp conspire to result in other problems.

The battery had gone completely flat so I jumped this off my father-in-laws car. Runs OK with FIL's car connected via jump leads but as soon as jump leads removed, the engine splutters to a stop. I have now taken the Rover battery off the car and will charge this fully and try to start and check if the battery is charging.

The alternator body (and windings visible) have a fine film of dirt on them, not unexpected being located under the bonnet. No real visible oil contamination. The power steering pump has leaked very slightly and will be replaced when I carry out this work. The end cap of the alternator with the plug does have a an oily film on it. It is possible this has dripped down from the power steering pump.

What do I do? Do I chance trying a new regulator and brush pack from DMGRS or go for a reconditioned alternator? Would the windings be heavily covered in oil if the alternator had given up?

Any positive comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

kbonney88 · 27th March 2017, 12:18

Once the battery is "charged" start her up and it should start and run...

and if it is established that it is the alternator, as the electrical connections are good and there is a lack of battery charging, then if it was me I would simply go for a brush change before changing the regulator. you will need a soldering iron and a small drill to do the job. a bit fiddly, buit easy enough.. and for the cost defo worth trying before anything else..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SVX72-BRUS...UAAOSwEzxYWn5z

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...hlight=brushes

There is another thread on here on changing them too.. I also have some pics if need be..

Kev

Rp61973 · 27th March 2017, 13:03

Thanks for your advice. I am a bit uncertain if this is likely to be brushes as the car has done only 62,000 miles.

3rd November 2016, 09:31	#1
Rp61973 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Classic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Galleywood Posts: 374 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 45 Posts	Battery Light On After a fast-ish run a couple of weeks ago, the battery light decided to energise at low revs. It extinguished as soon as the revs picked up over 1000 rpm. I managed to limp the car to work. On the way home the light came on at low revs for a few mins but then went out and didn't come back on. I checked the power steering pump above - some very light oil seepage, but no evidence of any dripping on the alternator. On today's journey to work the light came on permanently and won't go out irrespective of revs. Is this a dead alternator? Has anyone any suggestions? Many thanks. Paul __________________ 2006 Rover 75 CDTI in Starlight Silver 1973 Rover P6 3500 in Monza Red

3rd November 2016, 10:18	#3
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,488 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Very similar thread already running. Might be some useful stuff here. __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

3rd November 2016, 11:01	#5
Rp61973 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Classic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Galleywood Posts: 374 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 45 Posts	Thanks. I assume it is an alternator out job to get access to the charge controller pack? __________________ 2006 Rover 75 CDTI in Starlight Silver 1973 Rover P6 3500 in Monza Red

3rd November 2016, 12:05	#7
Rp61973 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Classic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Galleywood Posts: 374 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 45 Posts	Thanks guys. I will investigate and see what clues emerge. __________________ 2006 Rover 75 CDTI in Starlight Silver 1973 Rover P6 3500 in Monza Red

27th March 2017, 11:50	#8
Rp61973 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Classic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Galleywood Posts: 374 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 45 Posts	Just got around to looking at this amongst managing major family crises and a house rebuild. The car has been sitting on the lawn since November so I desperately need to get it back on the road before the combination of inactivity and damp conspire to result in other problems. The battery had gone completely flat so I jumped this off my father-in-laws car. Runs OK with FIL's car connected via jump leads but as soon as jump leads removed, the engine splutters to a stop. I have now taken the Rover battery off the car and will charge this fully and try to start and check if the battery is charging. The alternator body (and windings visible) have a fine film of dirt on them, not unexpected being located under the bonnet. No real visible oil contamination. The power steering pump has leaked very slightly and will be replaced when I carry out this work. The end cap of the alternator with the plug does have a an oily film on it. It is possible this has dripped down from the power steering pump. What do I do? Do I chance trying a new regulator and brush pack from DMGRS or go for a reconditioned alternator? Would the windings be heavily covered in oil if the alternator had given up? Any positive comments would be appreciated. Thanks. __________________ 2006 Rover 75 CDTI in Starlight Silver 1973 Rover P6 3500 in Monza Red

3rd November 2016, 09:34	#2
Davey1991 Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bingham, Nottingham. Posts: 240 Thanks: 66 Thanked 39 Times in 28 Posts	Only way to diagnose is by checking voltage across the battery with vehicle running. Should be high 13v's at idle if everything is okay. Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

3rd November 2016, 11:07	#6
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,552 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Nope. It can be done with the alternator in place.

27th March 2017, 12:18	#9
kbonney88 I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer & 75 Saloons Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Perth/Glasgow Scotland Posts: 2,313 Thanks: 804 Thanked 656 Times in 512 Posts	Once the battery is "charged" start her up and it should start and run... and if it is established that it is the alternator, as the electrical connections are good and there is a lack of battery charging, then if it was me I would simply go for a brush change before changing the regulator. you will need a soldering iron and a small drill to do the job. a bit fiddly, buit easy enough.. and for the cost defo worth trying before anything else.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SVX72-BRUS...UAAOSwEzxYWn5z http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...hlight=brushes There is another thread on here on changing them too.. I also have some pics if need be.. Kev

27th March 2017, 13:03	#10
Rp61973 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Classic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Galleywood Posts: 374 Thanks: 80 Thanked 67 Times in 45 Posts	Thanks for your advice. I am a bit uncertain if this is likely to be brushes as the car has done only 62,000 miles. __________________ 2006 Rover 75 CDTI in Starlight Silver 1973 Rover P6 3500 in Monza Red