Electricity Escaping

[vulgalour]

I don't know where it's going, but my electricity appears to be escaping. Only started doing this today on the stripey BX, 1.9 diesel non-turbo, if that makes any difference to diagnosis. It could be the alternator, but that was only replaced in January, or the battery though that's showing no outward signs of being duff. I'm going to check for loose connections and the like tomorrow, but if anyone else knows what might be happening here, I'd appreciate it.

Once the car is started - jump or battery charge - it runs fine and all the electrical things work, the problem arises when I want to start it again after turning it off and there just isn't the power in the battery to do it.

[BX Bandit]

Sounds like the battery to me. Did the battery run flat before the new alternator? How old is the battery? If they are on the old side, they don't like been run flat.

[Mothman]

Defo the battery, just had Gloria's and Mollie's replaced and they start right proper now. Heavy duty one would be my reccomendation.

Andy

[MULLEY]

Check the boot light isn't always on when the boot is closed. If its not that, is it possible that the stereo is drawing current for some reason?

[vulgalour]

The boot lights don't light at all, probably as they're isn't a bulb in them (not checked the reason) and there is no stereo to draw current. At the insistence of my Dad and brother we had another go at starting the car, had to jump it again as it had drained its own battery.

Two things of note:
The alternator appears to be putting out no charge.
The dash lights never extinguish, even with all the lights turned off. The dash only goes out when the ignition is turned fully off. Is this normal?

[mat_fenwick]

The dash lights never extinguish, even with all the lights turned off. The dash only goes out when the ignition is turned fully off. Is this normal?

Normal and correct for a BX! If you have a meter, what is the battery voltage when running?

[vulgalour]

about 11.5

[electrokid]

about 11.5

A car battery is considered to be flat at 11.6 volts (and fully charged around 14 though modern batteries may be half a volt lower than that).

So alternator or connection to it or drive belt is duff.

[vulgalour]

Will a 1.9 diesel Xantia alternator fit? I have access to one that's as good as free.

[Dollywobbler]

Folk may recall that I had charging issues at the ICCCR. With that in mind, I have been keeping an eye on it and it's been charging just fine. Alternator was replaced in Jan 2012, not this year. The battery should be fine. I've been swapping them between vehicles and that one had done sterling service on the TXD for many months, even if the car was left for several days.

[Mothman]

I had a problem with one of my BXs a few years ago where the glove box hinge [a common problem] had broken and wasnt fitting properly which allowed the internal light to be on all the time causing the batt to go flat regularly.
Anyway, if the alternators not putting out the juice, shouldnt a red light on the dash show this, did on mine a couple of years back?

Andy

[vulgalour]

No telltale relating to battery shows up on the dash, which is a bit confusing.

[MULLEY]

The alternator might be fine, but if the battery is knackered then the red light wouldn't illuminate? I thought it only registered a fault with the alternator.

[vulgalour]

How do I discern which is the faulty component? I don't just want to stab wildly in the dark with my wallet, it's been punished enough this month

[rabbercelt]

I think you'll find the xantia alternator won't fit.It's a higher rated alternator with different fitments