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MG MGF Technical - Alternator perhaps?

On the way into work this morning, I heard a shortish squeeling noise from behind by right shoulder, followed by a temporary dimming of the dashboard lights and slowing down of the windscreen wipers, this happened 3 or 4 times over the 12 mile journey.

Seems to my uneducated eye that the alternator and/or alternator belt is about to give up the ghost. Is this something my local kwik fit can sort out? or is it off to main dealer or specialist?

And what will it cost?

Or is it something else completely?

Any help appreciated (as always)

thanks

Colin Ashworth

Belt may just need adjusting. Piece of cake if you have very thin arms.

Belt may just have been damp from ovenight rain. Often hear cars squeal first thing on damp days.
JohnP

It had been raining most of the night, and was still raining stairrods when I set off, I'll leave it and see how it goes for a while then, thanks John
Colin Ashworth

Colin

A tricky matter on an open bbs but if you email me your postal address I would send you a CD that shows exactly how to adjust the belt and almost everything else as well.

jponting AT globalnet DOT co DOT uk

JohnP

I think I may have such a CD already John, but sadly my arms aren't thin :)

I only have 1 tool for DIY of any kind anyway, and its the one with 10 numbers and a microphone :)

thanks anyway
Colin Ashworth

a man after my own heart Colin.
JohnP

The dimming of the dash lamps and the slowing of the windscreen wipers seem rather suspicious. I've not ever heard of a slipping alternator belt causing this.

Personally, I think I'd get an autoelectrician to have a look - something else may be going on.

Let us know how you get on Colin.
Rob Bell

I would tend to agree with Rob!

Neil

If you are going to have the engine bay cover off, I'd change the belt anyway for the sake of a few pounds. I seem to remember a thread on here that said the alt. belt snapped and took out the cam belt as well, causing £££ of trouble,
Richard P

The dash lamps dimming and wipers slowing would, I guess, be a result of them dropping onto the battery rather than being fed via the alternator? battery is nearly 7 years old and is probably due for changing anyway.

It was OK this morning, so hopefully just a temporary glitch in the matrix
Colin Ashworth

This thread was discussed between 20/09/2004 and 21/09/2004

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