Problems in the alternator/battery loop...

[ThePatchWorkLady]

Hi, I'm hoping I can explain all this, I'm no petrol head and have only been driving six months...

I've got a 16v 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara Auto.

I got a new alternator for christmas as mine was well squeaky and I presume, on its way out. My fella trawled the net and bought me a slightly more powerful one, Took it to the garage, had it fitted, drove home fine, then next time I used it, she died in the dark on a main road, stereo went, then lights, indicators etc, scaring me witless. No battery warning light came on. Called the rac, who thoroughly checked new alternator, its not charging the battery-batteries old and wrong size so I (ouch) bought a new battery there and then and the rac chap got me home.

Took it back to the garage, had old squeaky alternator put back on and squeaked me way home.
Next trip out, she died half way up a rural single track hill in the back end of nowhere, again, no battery warning light, she just went dim, then died. Had to wait hours for the rac in the cold and dark not knowing where I even was. I've watched far to much Silent Witness recently and spent those hours wondering if I was going to find a dead foot or meet a serial killer.

Anyway, Rac chap got me home again but now she's totally dead, I'm going to borrow a battery charger later and charge the battery up again so I can get her to A garage. I'm not sure I should used the same one now, twice I've been told she's working ok then had to be rescued by the rac the same day. that don't inspire me with confidence.

From what I've been reading, its looking like a electrical fault and she was sat all last winter so i would not be surprised if there's some rust or something. Since I bought her I've been slowing replacing the cheaper bits, new fan belt, new alternator belt, new windscreen, new alternator(!)

I would really like a manual with good clear drawings of my car so I can work out what should be there and what shouldn't but haines don't seem to do them.

If I took her into a garage would they be able to replace all the wires in the alternator battery loop so I know there all new, all working, all faults totally ruled out? and what sort of money would I be looking at. Would happily have a go myself but I know sod all about cars, electrics and have no tools. I'm a seamstress, I just put my foot down and stuff goes.....

[Anton]

Weird that your battery warning light didn't come on. A good mechanic should be able to tell if your alternator is working, so it all seems a bit suspect.

What part of the world are you in? Perhaps one of the members close to you knows a better mechanic...

[ThePatchWorkLady]

Hiya, thanks for your reply, I'm in Gloucestershire, near Cheltenham and cirencester but I was using a garage in Stroud.

[ThePatchWorkLady]

My (old) garage and the rac chaps both said my alternators were working fine, giving off the correct charge and charging the battery etc, but then hours later my car dies so something is wrong or changing when I'm driving it, loose connection maybe? I did think that if my wiring was that bad then surely a mechanic would have noticed it and said something by now...

[Anton]

It's not always that simple. There may be nothing wrong with your battery or alternator, the problem *could* be elsewhere - no way to know really, and I'm not an expert on alternators.

It could be something like a dry joint in one of your leads - and no-one would be able to tell just by looking at it.

[r-nottz]

Got to be something between the battery and alternator, if you were in Bristol I'd suggest my father in law, the most down to earth mechanic youl meet he doesn't do it for the money.

[zook123]

Makes you wonder if the battery is dodgy! My Corsa had no issues when in the garage, but would randomly die. Until the new battery was fitted!

[dan_2k_uk]

Does the warning light come on when you switch the ignition to the ACC position but don't start the engine?

[ThePatchWorkLady]

I don't get any dashboard lights until i start the engine, then I get the battery light and all the others briefly. I presume that's normal...

[dan_2k_uk]

So long as you know the bulb works that's the bulb ruled out and also on some systems where the bulb is part of the exciter circuit it won't charge with a blown bulb.