Money pit strikes again Almost the death of me -literally.

paulbn61 · 31st August 2022, 22:06

Having had a couple of weeks trouble-free motoring, including a 1000 mile round trip around Welsh Wales, I was begining to think that now I could enjoy the old motor again. After all, apart from gearbox, body and interior, just about everything else has now been replaced over the last 6 months as you can see from the saga.

I was quite annoyed when the taxi company I work part-time for on school runs insisted I travel in my own motor from Ipswich to Newmarket to physically collect my renewed taxi badge. However, it was a lovely hot sunny day, so I complied, relaxing to the sounds of my multi-changer.

The old girl wouldn't start as I left the company office, battery flat as a flat thing can be. Luckily another driver had jump leads, so once connected she fired up straight away. Well, it had been a very hot day, and battery was nearly 2 years old, so well, £70 for a new battery just one of those things.

Blithely driving down our main artery, the A14, I had nearl got to the Bury sugar factory (locals will know) when she stuttered, lost power, picked up, and died a couple of times until I was now doing 20 mph on a fast dual. Luckly an artic driver behind me realised I was in trouble so guarded my back till I JUST, by a matter of a metre, got just off the main carriageway and just onto the first metre of slip road. (Not gone to sleep yet???)

I dont scare easily, but with heavies and sales reps and delivery vans screaming down the A14 and flying off down the slip road, all within a couple of feet from the tail of the Rover, I was about as scared as I can be, especially as this arthritic old geriatric couldn't hoist himself over the low wall! And not enough electricity even to power the hazards.

Cut a very long story a bit short, the Blue lights towed and ferried me off to a safe-ish place and called the RAC (Thats an even longer story !!)

Anyway, upshot of all this was I got home saw my alternator pouring smoke, which validated the RAC patrols diagnosis .

Being completely burnt out, an exchange part not available, so a new althernator is now fitted, and thats another couple of hundred plus gone!

So if the company hadn't called me, that could have happened in an impossibly dangerous place with wifey with me. And the old girl DID survive just long enough to get me as safe as possible in the circs.

Small mercies, eh??

MSS · 31st August 2022, 22:27

The charge (i.e. not charging) light should have come on for quite some time before the battery was completely depleted.

As you are an Ipswich man, the place for getting an alternator rebuilt is Nacton Auto Electrics just off Nacton Road. They rebuilt my CDT alternator 5-6 years ago and provide good honest old fashioned service.

trikey · 1st September 2022, 07:35

That bit of road can be a tad scary even when your car is working as it should, glad all is well again.

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

DMGRS · 1st September 2022, 10:20

Alternators seem to be dropping like flies lately - we're absolutely tearing through our stock of regulators!
Glad you're home safe and sorted, the alternator is one of a few weak points on these cars. I've changed 2 on my fleet within about 150,000 miles of motoring (from memory).

coolguy · 1st September 2022, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMGRS

Alternators seem to be dropping like flies lately - we're absolutely tearing through our stock of regulators!
Glad you're home safe and sorted, the alternator is one of a few weak points on these cars. I've changed 2 on my fleet within about 150,000 miles of motoring (from memory).

The alternator is the only thing (apart from tyres/battery and exhaust) I have needed to replace in 13 years ownership of my Tourer. Better get ready for failures on the other 5 in the fleet!

Costa Fortuna · 1st September 2022, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMGRS

Alternators seem to be dropping like flies lately - we're absolutely tearing through our stock of regulators!
Glad you're home safe and sorted, the alternator is one of a few weak points on these cars. I've changed 2 on my fleet within about 150,000 miles of motoring (from memory).

Nice to see you this pm when I collected my clutch kit - and thanks for the compliments for my 1.8t, Tim

tonybel · 1st September 2022, 18:39

nice story, so as I see it you are £270 out? not that deep a pit really, the battery for some modern cars cost that.

the alternator must be about the only thing i haven’t had a problem with though i did get a different one when i changed the engine, consequently I have a spare. sound like i should keep it handy!

Jamiewelch · 2nd September 2022, 07:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonybel

nice story, so as I see it you are £270 out? not that deep a pit really, the battery for some modern cars cost that.

the alternator must be about the only thing i haven’t had a problem with though i did get a different one when i changed the engine, consequently I have a spare. sound like i should keep it handy!

A single proper branded tyre costs that for my Alpina

paulbn61 · 2nd September 2022, 07:52

I've used them (Nacton Auto) before, but they said my alternator was so completely fubar that they couldn't do the exchange. And, the warning light never showed up.

BigRuss · 2nd September 2022, 09:28

Yes the alternator can fail and not put on the charge light.
Seen it a few times over the years, the only sure way is to test the alternator.

Russ

31st August 2022, 22:06	#1
paulbn61 Avid contributor RoverRover 75 cdti Tourer 2003, Rover 75 cdti 2006. Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Ipswich Posts: 119 Thanks: 43 Thanked 30 Times in 11 Posts	Money pit strikes again Almost the death of me -literally. Having had a couple of weeks trouble-free motoring, including a 1000 mile round trip around Welsh Wales, I was begining to think that now I could enjoy the old motor again. After all, apart from gearbox, body and interior, just about everything else has now been replaced over the last 6 months as you can see from the saga. I was quite annoyed when the taxi company I work part-time for on school runs insisted I travel in my own motor from Ipswich to Newmarket to physically collect my renewed taxi badge. However, it was a lovely hot sunny day, so I complied, relaxing to the sounds of my multi-changer. The old girl wouldn't start as I left the company office, battery flat as a flat thing can be. Luckily another driver had jump leads, so once connected she fired up straight away. Well, it had been a very hot day, and battery was nearly 2 years old, so well, £70 for a new battery just one of those things. Blithely driving down our main artery, the A14, I had nearl got to the Bury sugar factory (locals will know) when she stuttered, lost power, picked up, and died a couple of times until I was now doing 20 mph on a fast dual. Luckly an artic driver behind me realised I was in trouble so guarded my back till I JUST, by a matter of a metre, got just off the main carriageway and just onto the first metre of slip road. (Not gone to sleep yet???) I dont scare easily, but with heavies and sales reps and delivery vans screaming down the A14 and flying off down the slip road, all within a couple of feet from the tail of the Rover, I was about as scared as I can be, especially as this arthritic old geriatric couldn't hoist himself over the low wall! And not enough electricity even to power the hazards. Cut a very long story a bit short, the Blue lights towed and ferried me off to a safe-ish place and called the RAC (Thats an even longer story !!) Anyway, upshot of all this was I got home saw my alternator pouring smoke, which validated the RAC patrols diagnosis . Being completely burnt out, an exchange part not available, so a new althernator is now fitted, and thats another couple of hundred plus gone! So if the company hadn't called me, that could have happened in an impossibly dangerous place with wifey with me. And the old girl DID survive just long enough to get me as safe as possible in the circs. Small mercies, eh?? __________________ facelift model now

31st August 2022, 22:27	#2
MSS This is my second home Rover 75CDT, Jaguar XF-S 3.0V6, V'xhall Omega V6 Estate, Twintop 1.8VVT, Astra Estate and Corsa 1.2 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7,113 Thanks: 283 Thanked 624 Times in 440 Posts	The charge (i.e. not charging) light should have come on for quite some time before the battery was completely depleted. As you are an Ipswich man, the place for getting an alternator rebuilt is Nacton Auto Electrics just off Nacton Road. They rebuilt my CDT alternator 5-6 years ago and provide good honest old fashioned service. __________________ Member of the Peasant Underdog Class, Grade 1

1st September 2022, 07:35	#3
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,821 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	That bit of road can be a tad scary even when your car is working as it should, glad all is well again. Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk __________________ Lest we forget..

1st September 2022, 10:20	#4
DMGRS Discount MG Rover Spares Rover 75 CDTi, 2x MG ZS180 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hythe, Southampton Posts: 11,360 Thanks: 456 Thanked 3,377 Times in 2,027 Posts	Alternators seem to be dropping like flies lately - we're absolutely tearing through our stock of regulators! Glad you're home safe and sorted, the alternator is one of a few weak points on these cars. I've changed 2 on my fleet within about 150,000 miles of motoring (from memory). __________________ Your trusted MG Rover specialist! Tel: 02380 001133 / Email: [email protected] We now have a 'chat' function on our site for even quicker replies. Give it a try! Remember - discount code FORUM5 for 5% off

1st September 2022, 18:39	#7
tonybel Avid contributor MG ZT 190 SE Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Stone Posts: 173 Thanks: 66 Thanked 29 Times in 24 Posts	nice story, so as I see it you are £270 out? not that deep a pit really, the battery for some modern cars cost that. the alternator must be about the only thing i haven’t had a problem with though i did get a different one when i changed the engine, consequently I have a spare. sound like i should keep it handy! __________________ Running like a train & leaking like a sieve

2nd September 2022, 07:52	#9
paulbn61 Avid contributor RoverRover 75 cdti Tourer 2003, Rover 75 cdti 2006. Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Ipswich Posts: 119 Thanks: 43 Thanked 30 Times in 11 Posts	I've used them (Nacton Auto) before, but they said my alternator was so completely fubar that they couldn't do the exchange. And, the warning light never showed up. __________________ facelift model now Last edited by paulbn61; 2nd September 2022 at 07:56..

2nd September 2022, 09:28	#10
BigRuss Premium Trader 75 CDT Tourer,2.5 Launch Saloon, Omipro MG/Rover (T4) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liversedge, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,417 Thanks: 1,105 Thanked 1,340 Times in 661 Posts	Yes the alternator can fail and not put on the charge light. Seen it a few times over the years, the only sure way is to test the alternator. Russ __________________ Replacement Key Service http://https://the75andztclub.co.uk/...d.php?t=244732 Full T4 Testbook diagnostics available. Diesel ECU repair and replacement. Options enabled or disabled as required. Diesel X-Power 135 and "160", Rover 1.8T 150 to 160 MG 160 V6 to 177 upgrades available P.M. for details.