[Mk2] [Turbo] battery or alternator??

[ceramicpower]

hi

waiting in the carwash the other day and the car cut out when i put the lights on. got it jump started and after a minute or 2 all the dash lights came on and then the car cuts out and wont start. if i leave the jump leads on the car runs fine. on idle the battery reads 12.3 on a multimeter but that slowly drops until the car cuts out

sorry the search isn't working for me if this is a common fault

if its the alternator is this a big job? i can barely see it never mind remove it!

its a rev 2 turbo. thanks

[oBladeo]

Have the battery tested at any good car parts shop and just make sure it's not that first.

The alternator is not a big job at all. Best to tackle it from under the car so the higher you can get it the better. While your there fitting a new belt would make sense to.

[C50]

That sounds like alternator to me

At idle the alternator should be charging the battery thus the voltage shough be greater than 12.3v.

[Martin F]

That sounds like alternator to me

seconded

get the alternator checked out itself,i.e. make sure all the connections are fine , tension on the belt and get a volt meter to see what kind off power the alternator itself is putting out(not the battery)

what lights are flashing on your dashboard?

[ceramicpower]

cheers lads

its all the ignition lights coming on after a minute or 2 and then cuts out a minute or 2 after that. will have it on a ramp this evening or 2morro will let you know how i get on

[ceramicpower]

jesus it took me 4 hours on saturday to take off the alternator mainly due to the hks exhaust! getting the alt off was no bother but i had to loosen engine mounts and everything to squeeze it out alt is in for repqir at the mo , not looking forward to putting it back in...

[ceramicpower]

That sounds like alternator to me

seconded

get the alternator checked out itself,i.e. make sure all the connections are fine , tension on the belt and get a volt meter to see what kind off power the alternator itself is putting out(not the battery)

what lights are flashing on your dashboard?

checked the connections they were ok. had the same charge at the alt as at the battery so not the wiring. belt was a bit torn but not loose or slipping so must be the alt. anyway it better be after the bloody job trying to take it out!

[ceramicpower]

alternator had oil in it from a previous oil leak. d'oh