VXR8 possible charging fault ?

[SteveMJ]

A query; in my VXR8 this evening, easy cruising at 70 mph and I get a warning pop up on dash; ‘ alternator' or it may have said 'charging', with a picture of a battery and a zig-zag across it. The voltmeter had dropped from 14V or thereabouts to 12V.
I pulled over and cut the engine; waited a few tens of seconds and restarted. No further fault indicated and voltmeter showed back up to 14V ish, so I carried on.
A few hours later on and returning in the dark I noticed the voltmeter showed 12V again and it later rose to 14V ish.
My total journey this evening was just under 100 miles with four engine restarts (fuel, parking etc).
As I arrived home the charge level showed 73%, I would have expected closer to fully charged.
What is this telling me? The battery was replaced at the end of last November.
I've asked this same question on the Facebook page too.
Thanks, Steve

[vxr2010]

Was there an Ecu down load to resolve a charging fault , could be alternator maybe a voltage tester will be more accurate than the standard guage

[SteveMJ]

vxr2010 said:

Was there an Ecu down load to resolve a charging fault , could be alternator maybe a voltage tester will be more accurate than the standard guage

Well I thought that, but a long time ago mine was in the dealers and not upgraded. I'll have alook at what mine is in the morning.
Steve

[SteveMJ]

After leaving the car overnight and checking this morning:
Software version is 020.022.115 (I've not seen any one with a diffeent version).
In 'Service mode' Reported battery voltage was 12.1V and charge 74.5%.
Measured with a voltmeter across the battery terminals (not loose BTW) voltage was 12.386V and after starting a the voltage rose to 14.60V.
That does indicate the alternator and charging circuit is working, at least now.
What happened last night then, I wonder?

Steve

[SteveMJ]

After leaving the car overnight and checking this morning:

Software version is 020.022.115 (I've not seen any one with a different version).
In 'Service mode' Reported battery voltage was 12.1V and charge 74.5%.

Measured with a voltmeter across the battery terminals (not loose BTW) voltage was 12.386V and after starting the voltage rose to 14.60V.

That does indicate the alternator and charging circuit is working, at least now.

What happened last night then, I wonder?

Steve

[vxr2010]

Have you checked connections on the battery and alternator ? I have fitted extra earths on all the cars , vauxhalls of course ours are not vauxhalls were known for poor earths

[SteveMJ]

vxr2010 said:

Have you checked connections on the battery and alternator ? I have fitted extra earths on all the cars , vauxhalls of course ours are not vauxhalls were known for poor earths

I checked battery connections, which were good (I did them myself last year - but that is not a guarantee :-) )

I've not checked alternator conenctions, I've never looked at the alternator, nor the earth. They will be more fiddly to access, so may do that later.

I searched for body controller sooftware upgrades and could not find any reference to that. Only mine and your postings.

Thanks for the thought, Steve

[Magic919]

Back in the day, mine had the BCM update and a new battery from Vauxhall. It was pretty common.

[SteveMJ]

Magic919 said:

Back in the day, mine had the BCM update and a new battery from Vauxhall. It was pretty common.

Oh, interesting. What is your version number and how did you arrange the upgrade?

Thanks , Steve

[FishmanUK]

I had alternator problems Steve where voltage would be OK one minute then below 12 the next and up and down. It got gradually worse until alternator stopped charging completely. new alternator fixed it.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Magic919]

SteveMJ said:

Magic919 said:

Back in the day, mine had the BCM update and a new battery from Vauxhall. It was pretty common.

Oh, interesting. What is your version number and how did you arrange the upgrade?

Thanks , Steve

Bear in mind I sold the VXR8 over 5 years ago. Motorbodies Luton (Thurlow Nunn these days) did the work. I think it was the same time as fitting the new gearbox.

[SteveMJ]

Looks like my alternator is on the way out. I'll call a local garage I have used to ask if they can do a test.

I had 'alternator' flash up on dash and voltameter sat at about 12V. After a few minutes is returned to normal.

How much is a replacement alternator and where can I get one? Is there a refurb kit or similar available?

Thanks, Steve

[SteveMJ]

No idea if this may be related.

I also need to reset the service indicator. I am holding down trip and ignition on and pressing the wheel to its left. The service indication remains.

What daft thing could I be doing wrong?

Steve

[ARAF]

Alternators have been known to fail, but failing batteries can throw up weird faults, so make sure you have the alternator tested first.

Also, don't be fooled into getting a cheap alternator from America. The ones from LHD cars will not fit.

[SteveMJ]

ARAF said:

Alternators have been known to fail, but failing batteries can throw up weird faults, so make sure you have the alternator tested first.

Also, don't be fooled into getting a cheap alternator from America. The ones from LHD cars will not fit.

Thanks Araf

Is there anywhere that can reburbish an alternator?

Cheers, Steve

[SteveMJ]

Simple question.

Wherabouts is the alternator? I let the engine cool from before and now peering in the engine I can't see it.

I think I ought to check cables are not loose.

Steve

[Magic919]

Try down and to the right (following the belt). Might be easier from below if there isn't an undertray blocking.

[SteveMJ]

Magic919 said:

Try down and to the right (following the belt). Might be easier from below if there isn't an undertray blocking.

I felt embarrassed to have to admit not finding it :-(
Had another look and there it was, quite low down, on the passenger side. Couldn’t get access to cables to see if they were loose, wishful thinking maybe as to the problem. Possibly easier to view and access from underneath?

PS Have now reset service reminder.

Steve

[SteveMJ]

I've been seeing the voltage (on the dash voltmeter) drift up and down between 12V and 14.4V.

When I can see the voltage drift down to 12V the warning comes on, of course as it rises the warning goes.

I was suspectign the alternator, is there any way I can ensure it is not the control to the alternator?

Steve

[SteveMJ]

I am now suspecting the alternator's control rather than the alternator itself.

What controls the alternator? And can I get that replaced?

Thanks, Steve

Edited by SteveMJ on Saturday 7th May 09:40