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MG MGF Technical - Battery Light

Guys,

Coming home this evening when I hit 5k revs the battery light illuminated and stayed on.

It's solid on but didn't effect performance for the rest of the trip ( 10 miles )

So , where to start ?

Alternator belt , Alternator , some fuse?

Thanks in advance for all replies ......
R Willetts

If the alternator belt has come adrift, best to check it's not flopping around in the vicinity of the crank pulley - if it gets entangled with the timing belt the lifespan of the engine drops to a few noisy seconds 8-(

There is a fuse on the output of the alternator that could have blown but a failure of the alternator itself is probably more likely. An electrical tester on the alternator connections should identify the cause - if it's showing 14.4v or thereabouts it's charging ok so fuse is likely, but if no voltage then something has failed inside the alternator.

If you find yourself needing to maximise the distance the car will run on solely battery charge, pull the fuse out of the EPAS - increases the range significantly ;o)
bandit

OK - I can't see the alternator having a quick look underneath so suspect the rear arch liner has to come out to see the alternator and belt.

I'll check the voltages to see if it's charging - if there is a belt whizzing around and I haven't left it in the road :)

This fuse between the alternator and battery - I've heard conflicting reports it's in the rear or front compartments - anyone know for sure ?

Mine's a '51 freestyle in case that's relevant...

Thanks
R Willetts

Access to the alternator is either by removing the closing panel on the inner wheelarch, or through the main engine access panel. The wheelarch route is much quicker... The plastic scrivets holding it in place are notorious for seizing up so choose a screwdriver that is a very snug fit, and some WD40 or PlusGas helps.

A '51 plate car will be MEMS3 so I'd expect the fuse to be on the rear bulkhead, not far from the ECU.
bandit

Voltage present at alternator , so suspect it's not the fuse - but doesn't move off 12v ish despite trying RPM up to 3K - so suspect alternator

Starting with replacement alternator - will keep all informed :D
R Willetts

Alternator replaced - problem solved

Thanks all
R Willetts

This thread was discussed between 23/09/2010 and 01/10/2010

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