Power issues

[Calibra_Mike]

Ive got a bit of a problem with my cally, I thought I had solved it but its happening again... The other week I kept getting a flat battery so in the end I changed the battery, everythings been running fine or a week or so now until today, was driving home when the engine management light came on and stayed on... also still driving along, I noticed that my petrol and temp gauges were not working and all the electrics seemed drained, the windows were slow and the lights were really dim, however the car kept going, then when I pulled onto my drive and took it out of gear and released the clucth the engine died... I tried to turn it over and nothing, the battery is totally flat...

Im guessing this could be an alternator problem but it wasnt replaced that long ago and whys it been working fine for the last week or so?

Anything else that could be causing this?

How do I do the paperclip trick with the diagnostic plug? where is the plug located?

[Jonesie]

That brings back painfull and expensive memories! Mine did the same thing only when i pressed the clutch down the electrics came back on. Expensive part happened when i went to start it and the loom caught fire! The problems started with mine with a lose negative lead, i say lose it wasnt actually connected to the body. Dont know how to do paper clip test, but if memory serves me right the plug is behind the gear stick, i might be getting mixed up with the vectra though.

[RobbieV]

The paperclip test

http://www.topbuzz.co.uk/info/fault_cod ... _codes.htm

[Calibra_Mike]

Right...

Ive still got issues, I charged my battery back up and put it back in the car, I also fitted a voltmeter gauge aswell so I can keep an eye on the voltage as I drive... After about 15mins of driving the volts drop down until the voltmeter doesnt register, the ignition/engine light lights up and slowly I loose all power... I still think it could be the alternator but reading the car manual it says that if the battery isn't charging then the battery light should come on, which it doesn't only the yellow ignition.engine light, ive still not done a paperclip test on it yet, but i will do tonight once ive got the bettery charge up again and I go get my car from the pubs car park I had to leave it in on my way home lol...

Out of interest I snapped the aux belt the other day, its been replaced and appears to be on there tight, would this have any effect? remembering that I had this problem a week or so back when it was running on the old aux belt...

I'm a bit baffled as to what the problem could be as ive sprung up out of no where, Im really hoping it is the alternator and no a wiring problem as Ive had them in the past and changing an alternator is fair easier than fault finding a problem in the wiring :s

Also one other question, I have a spare alternator from my old 1.6 cavalier, would that be a suitable replacement or our the calibras alternator different, I would of thought most models would share the same parts...

HELP ME

[Calibra_Mike]

This problem is getting stranger...

So the alternator isnt working... until I leave the car running and the cooling fan kicks in the the volts on the volt gauge go up to 14v???

Did the paper clip test came back with fault code 48... Low voltage... No s**t sherlock...

So I dont think the alternator is dead but maybe the bushes are going? anyone else experienced anything like this before...

[clark607]

where can i find the neg earth for the loom?
i have had problem with the battery draining and starting problems also.
will try the paper clip test.
will let you know out come.

[Stupink]

does the light (charge light) come on with the other dash lights before you start the car?? check the bulb if it doesn't.

[Calibra_Mike]

Negative wire for the alternator? just follow it fromt he alternator, I think it joins in with the starter motors negative all though I could be wrong...

If the battery's not charging when you're driving it would more than likely be the alternator... If it is then it could be a number of things, checking the wires should be the first thing, if you can get a voltmeter then try checking for continuity across the alternator and from the battery teminals to the alternator...

If its a problem with the alternator try and get it out and take it to a specialist, they'll be able to rig it up to their test equipment and tell you if its shagged or not...

As said above, check the battery light on the dash, if its a charging problem this light might not come on, if the bulb is blown, replace it...

You're not that far away, if you need it looking at, get in contact... Might be able to arrange something...

[Calibra_Mike]

You're not that far away, if you need it looking at, get in contact... Might be able to arrange something...

[BazV6er]

mike,

could be the same problem i had when a diode went in my alternator one dark night.

[Calibra_Mike]

mike,

could be the same problem i had when a diode went in my alternator one dark night.

Pain in the arse when it happens... take it yours is all sorted now...

[BazV6er]

yeah that was a year after i had bought it , it been good ever since ,new alternator was needed

[Calibra_Mike]

When I started to get the problem I didnt think it could be the alternator its self as judging by the service history it was only replaced 4-5yrs back and they tend to last longer than that, but you never know...but it turned out to be the wiring and the alternator was fine after a specialist had it in his workshop and tested it all out for me (free of charge too )