Berlingo! Thread updated 14/11/24

[Zelandeth]

Just now, Marm Toastsmith said:

Seems to have fixed itself for now, we'll see.

 

Which to me also says brushes.  

Which if it is, it will stay fixed...right up until it doesn't.  Which you can guarantee will be in the most inconvenient location when it's pissing it down sideways.  Especially as we're about to start getting into the time of year when batteries take a hammering.  

It's always harder to judge on vehicles as new as this as that has the alternator under ECU control (in the interests of improving economy) rather than just having a regulator that's tied to the battery voltage.  Makes judging the actual condition of the battery and efficacy of the charging system much harder with normal DIY equipment.  Assuming yours has that nonsense anyway, mine in an 06 plate absolutely definitely has!  It confused the heck out of me the first time I had a meter attached to the battery with the engine running and saw the voltage drop briefly every time the engine was revved.

They really are supremely useful vehicles though aren't they?  Drive way better than they've any right too as well.  Though given how much Pug 306 there is under the skin I guess that isn't a huge surprise.

[Marm Toastsmith]

1 hour ago, Zelandeth said:

Which to me also says brushes.  

Which if it is, it will stay fixed...right up until it doesn't.  Which you can guarantee will be in the most inconvenient location when it's pissing it down sideways.  Especially as we're about to start getting into the time of year when batteries take a hammering.  

It's always harder to judge on vehicles as new as this as that has the alternator under ECU control (in the interests of improving economy) rather than just having a regulator that's tied to the battery voltage.  Makes judging the actual condition of the battery and efficacy of the charging system much harder with normal DIY equipment.  Assuming yours has that nonsense anyway, mine in an 06 plate absolutely definitely has!  It confused the heck out of me the first time I had a meter attached to the battery with the engine running and saw the voltage drop briefly every time the engine was revved.

They really are supremely useful vehicles though aren't they?  Drive way better than they've any right too as well.  Though given how much Pug 306 there is under the skin I guess that isn't a huge surprise.

Ah well, we'll see. I'm hoping it's an erroneous warning as it only lasted a few minutes. Just driven 100 miles and not a flicker. To be honest there's little chance of me rebuilding the alternator unless it actually breaks, but if it does let me down as per your description I'll be sure to let you know and give you full credit for being correct in your assessment. 

And yes, it's bloody useful and I bloody love it. The combination of practicality and charm is hard to beat but what I really love is just how it's such a simple, rational design, seems nothing is over complicated or over engineered.

[Marm Toastsmith]

On 12/09/2024 at 17:26, Zelandeth said:

Which to me also says brushes.  

Which if it is, it will stay fixed...right up until it doesn't. 

Light came on again yesterday on the return leg of a short trip. I'll get the voltmeter out again in a bit but I've got a stinking cold and don't much fancy leaving the house.

[Marm Toastsmith]

Overdue update time. Mainly I haven't posted because the car has behaved perfectly - no sign of the battery light since the last post.

It's been my go-to motor for local errands, it's also the car I chose when I had a 300 mile round trip to do. It's decent on fuel. Not sure what MPGs are but they're good enough that fill ups are not painful.

The newish front tyres wore quickly and unevenly so last month I had them replaced with a pair of budget DYNAMOs and had the tracking done.

A bit of rust has surfaced on the N/S sill. It's been welded (near) here before. It's a long time to the next MOT so my thoughts are somewhere between "put some tape over it" and "look out for deals on a MIG in Lidl".

Realistically with the Lucida's arrival it's days are numbered as the Toyota trumps it for practicality. Which is a shame because it's so jolly, practical and likeable. We'll see...