not shite but in need of assistance please

[bub2006]

We own a 2003 Vectra with the z18xe engine. My wife just informed me when she was on the way to work tonight the battery light came on briefly,rev counter and speedo dropped to zero and abs light came on and the eml light. All very briefly then everything went back to normal. I no the alternators on these apparently tend to fail approx 100k and ours is on97 now. Does it sound like a dyin alternator? That much bloody electrics on new cars. Dread to think what damage it would do if it failed!!

[Barry Cade]

Yup, does sound like the alternator- not the end of the world on the 18 petrol though, diesel ones are pricier and much more of a faff to fit. Remember if the alt goes down, you'll lose the power steering too,get a voltmeter on it to see what it's putting out.

[bub2006]

Ill do that first thing in morning. Wife keeps saying it be fine. I personally don't think so!

[Rocket88]

should chuck out 14.2 volts across the battery terminals if it's healthy

[Wilko220]

With respect, I would question your assertion that a 2003 Vectra with 100k miles is "not shite"...

[Split_Pin]

It's 'not allowed to be shite' by the Gangster Mongs on the FB page.

 

Hope you get it sorted OP, I have this engine in my Astra so will be keen to see the solution in case it happens to mine.

[bub2006]

To be fair i like the car. Quick,very economical,quiet and comfy but its the amount ofthings that can an do go wrong with modern cars. She is on way home from work now an said it just happened again and car lost power this time for a second.

[skattrd]

It could be something as simple as a dodgy earth or battery cable ...

[bub2006]

Right,wife just got home. Meter reading 14.16

[dome]

As above, I'd check all the earths and connections to the battery and alternator before you go replacing it.

[Rocket88]

14.16 is fine.............battery may be on it's way out

[gary_davidson]

my wifes astra (MK4 1.8 SXI so could be the same engine) did the same about two years ago, a couple days later it happened again but with a sulphur smell so clearly the battery had gone, we put a new battery on it and it's been fine since.