Battery light come on when driving

[Danbo Lanbo]

Tonight i was driving the car fairly hard and the battery light came on the dash i looked at the voltage and it dropped to 12v i would presume the following:

1) check fuse box
2) check connections
3) check belt
4) check altinator to see if knackered

Is this a common problem ? The engine runs fine i drove it home quickly as i presummed all the electrics were running straight from the battery and i wouldnt have long before it went flat

[V10 BAT]

Hi
I think a battery needs to be 12.5 v minimum. Gauge should be around 13.5v running. That may fluctuate depending on demand .

I would take a close look at the belt first , it may be slipping or its snapped / no longer there .

Not sure if it drives the water pump as well or just alternator .

Next check battery , remove cover in front boot to get to the connections.

There's a thread on here somewhere with details on removing the whole bucket so you can remove battery if needed , can dig it out if you need it ,

I'd like to think it's more belt , due to being on throttle at the time

Cheers mate

[Danbo Lanbo]

I did check that the battery terminals were conected and did a bit of digging last night and it seems the water pump is driven directly of the engine, the belt only drives the alternator will have a good luck today and post my findings, a few pics of what it shpukd look like when i get to it...

[Danbo Lanbo]

Panic over, jacked the car up from the rear inserted stands and got under to have a look and the belt had disapeared, ordered a new belt from audi it was £42.56 including vat. So should be back up and running tomorow looks a real easy job and very easy to get at ??

[V10 BAT]

Nice.

If you get a moment could you take a pic of the cardboard wrapper on the new belt , part number and might have the length
Printed on it.

Cheers.

[Danbo Lambo]

No problem will do tomorow

[_Superleggera_]

Much cheaper than a new alternator. Lucky.

[Danbo Lambo]

Well some fun and games today, i got the belt from a good friend who is in the know but unfortunatly it was a little long i have installed a 970mm belt and it needs to be a 950mm to allow more tension on the tensioner. Went out for a rip yonight and it seems ok but euro parts have the belt i need so will jack up and change tomorow. This was the part i fitted....


Will post the correct on on tomorow.

[V10 BAT]

Great info mate thanks , would think the euro parts one will be a lot cheaper too .

Cheers

[Danbo Lambo]

Right just purchasrd the correct belt from euro parts it was £11 including vat so will jack car up today and replace

Edited by Danbo Lambo on Saturday 3rd October 11:03

[V10 BAT]

Thanks, think I may splash out for a spare lol.

[GarethDM]

By any chance where you in Corsa up on the red line? It use the Battery light indicator in Corsa to tell you to change gear