Corsa Alternator? Were is it and how to test

[lipsmoker]

okay ive put myself down to 1/2 threads a day because im annoying people

So you all know the problem with my car fails to pick up on accelorator
Today in the dark i noticed when i turn my light dim, to about 50%??? its definotly not right, its the electronic steering putting load on the battery but it shouldnt take 50% off the front and back lights, everything dims my radio interior lights, if i apply throttle slowley there fine, but when the car is in its little Limp mode when the revs drop and struggle, the lights all flash bright and dim like its lacking power?

i was thinking because of this maybe my problem with the throttle is the car fighting for power out the battery? the turning and lights dimming indicates theres a problem with the charging system

would this be the alternator? voltage regulator ive never explored this side of the car but it looks like a promicing fix for

Car starts fine and batt is giving out 11.5v
battery is 2 months old

This

What you guys think?

[ryanhughes]

you need petrol.

[lipsmoker]

Originally Posted by ryanhughes

you need petrol.

Got half a tank in now mate

[lipsmoker]

Thought this might Puzzle people :P

[Eddy856]

if you have a multimetre there are certain tests you can do...
test the voltage of the battery when the engine is turned off, and test the voltage when then engine is at roughly 2000 revs... see what you get.
for the alternator:
test voltage at idle
Test voltage at 2000 revs
see what u get

[Kitson]

Alternator on our engine is on the left of the block as you look down on it from the front there is a belt attached to it also. Does the belt shreek on start-up? ... If your not driving it regularly it could just be that. My lights do dim if i dry steer and i have the same set-up as you assuming you have an x12xe engine?

[lipsmoker]

Originally Posted by Kitson

Alternator on our engine is on the left of the block as you look down on it from the front there is a belt attached to it also. Does the belt shreek on start-up? ... If your not driving it regularly it could just be that. My lights do dim if i dry steer and i have the same set-up as you assuming you have an x12xe engine?

really not sure on my engine code
car hasnt been drove for 2 years lol
im only 15 so can only start/rev untill my parents move into a bigger house (were getting a deposit ready)

But yeah the car makes a Shreak sound when you turn the engine off?
not on just off,
my lights dim noticibally
might be were the car needs wearing in im going to test the battery for reading at certain rpm ill update the thread tomorow with the results

thankyou both

[Tom B]

Lol mine does the same (not 50% tho) And it does it when i put my heated rear windscreen on, but it only happens when i first start it, once driven its fine

[Eddy856]

your alternator belt is loose... if it shreiks it means its loose

[Kitson]

Well the fact that the car has been standing wont help matters, is it out in the open?.. Might be worth checking your earth connections. The shreek will almost certainly be your Aux belt slipping though so that will need adjusting.
Im not much use with a multi meter so carnt help with the electrical side much, much better with a spanner in my hand lol.

[Eddy856]

i have a whole workbook on how to test your altenator so if u need any morehelp im ready for ur questions

[lipsmoker]

Originally Posted by Eddy856

i have a whole workbook on how to test your altenator so if u need any morehelp im ready for ur questions

dads an ex mechanic he said it isnt the sound of a loose alternator belt.
but im going to check it anyway as when he did cars it was 40 years ago lol

how do i test the alternator?
is it like testing a battery
positive and negative?

will there be a wire going into it i unplug and then can see its connectors
cheers

[Tom B]

If your batterys not being charged, then its not going to be giving out 11.5v ( Thats what id guess anyway ) Its probably the massive ammount of current thats been taken from your battery to start the car. Try leaving it running for abit and see if it does the same

[Eddy856]

yep exactly the same as battery you have a posotive and negative

[sam_homepc]

Originally Posted by Eddy856

dam sorry sam im on MSN, Facebook and texting at the same time so getting mixed up

Lol, actually meant to PM it hence removal and PM

[Daniel119]

Find a the live from the alternator, put a mulitmeter to it and ground the other meter wire and when the car is on you should be getting 14v or there abouts meaning the battery will be is charging, if not then i would say your alternator isnt working properlly.

Regards, Dan

[lipsmoker]

thanks again everyone

[lipsmoker]

[quote=Daniel119;367431]Find a the live from the alternator, put a mulitmeter to it and ground the other meter wire and when the car is on you should be getting 14v or there abouts meaning the battery will be is charging, if not then i would say your alternator isnt working properlly.

Regards, Dan [/QUOTE

Hey dan, And others
just got home from work tested the battery im knackered so ill do alternator tomorow after work. Results

Car off, battery read 12v
car Idle on battery read 14v
revving needle still but needle decended 1v when the revs climbed down

that about right?

[Eddy856]

sounds perfect!

[Lyds_corsa_b]

Have you changed your alternator belt recently? It might be worn and slack.