Smoothope

Hi Guys, I am new on here and not so sure how this works.
So my battery light first came up sometime last year, it would come up for a minute and go back off. Took it to the garage and I was told everything seems fine and they can't see anything wrong with either the alternator or the battery. Fast forward, few months later I was embarking on a 2hr drive home and 20 minutes into journey while on the motorway, my engine shuts off in motion and battery light and check engine light came up

, I was able to quickly get to the hard shoulder to try find out what was wrong. I tried to start the engine again but it immediately shuts off. After realising my aircon, cooling seats, radio was on, I turned everything off waited for about 1 minute and push the start button again, Everything seems fine but the moment I turned on the aircon, engine shuts again.

I turned the aircon off, turned on the ignition again, everything was fine and I was able to complete my journey without the journey with aircon and radio off.

Took the car to the Mechanics the next day, they diagnosed the car and I was advised to buy a new battery first and see if the problem persist. Got a new battery next day and everytime I tried to switch on the aircon, engine shuts off. When I turn on just the heating, it's fine but the moment I try to switch to aircon same thing happens. So I decided since its not summer, I don't really need the AC, I'm just gonna stick to heating for now. Drove it around for few days, then yesterday I noticed everytime I come to a stop by the traffic light, battery light comes on quickly and flashes then goes off when in motion. Someone said maybe it could be the alternator connector. What do you guys think?

Gerf

Do you have a voltmeter?

If not just borrow one, put the leads on your battery and see what voltage is at your battery when the car is running.
probably just a battery on it's way out.

Smoothope

I bought a new battery, the same thing happened.

coolrydz

From my own personal experience, the alternator is the culprit. It happened to me and after replacing the alternator, it was running normal again. I purchased the oem denso unit from the dealership and installed it myself, not a job for the faint of heart but with time and tools, it's pretty much doable. There's only 1 hidden nut under the alternator which is tricky to remove. Alternatively buy the alternator and get a mechanic to replace.

Smoothope

I don't know nothing about the mechanical aspect of cars. Earlier when I was at the Mechanics who happens to be a family friend, we noticed when we noticed a burning smell when we switched on the Ac, this time engine didn't go off. It was struggling to stay on at first, the guy reved the engine a bit and the engine stayed on and AC light starts blinking. He didn't have enough time to do more checks as he had to go somewhere. I was told to come back tomorrow. Everyone keeps saying it seems like it's the alternator. I don't want to just go Ahead and fix the alternator just for them to come back to me and say it's something else. Especially not after my local garage just game me £490 quote to replace alternator.

MikeFig82

iTrader: (13)

Have the mechanic use a volt meter to determine if it's the alternator. If the light is coming on its a clear indicator the charging system is malfunctioning. The load is too great on the electrical system hence the car shuts off with AC on.

The battery helps for the start up. It's the alternators job to keep supplying power to the electrical components, and keep your battery charged if that makes sense.

Gerf

You mentioned earlier the car would run without the AC on, might be a good idea to check the ac to see if the compressor is seized or about to. that will either burn the belt off or cause the car to stall. maybe just watch the compressor/clutch when it is turned on and see if there is a problem there.