FTO AUSTRALIA

I've been having some problems for a while with the electrical's where the dash lights dim down when the car comes to a stop, apparently it's got to do with the alternator. Lately however I've been getting a few electrical issues when using more power such as indicating. Tonight when I indicated one of the lights started flashing on and off following the indicator pattern. It seems as though not enough electricity is getting to the parts. I've checked the battery and it's fine.

I've also got a "whirring" noise from the car when accelerating. Apparently this could be the alternator bearings?

Would I have a faulty alternator on my hands or would it be something else?
Cheers

1.Check water levels in battery (top up if required)
2.Check you have a good earth wire connection from battery to chassis (tighten if loose)
3.Check battery wiring is not loose (tighten if loose)
4.Check you have tension on alternator belt (tighten if loose)
5.Grab a voltmeter and test the battery voltage, Engine stopped should be 12-12.5Volts (If less charge battery, If wont charge then replace) , Engine running Should be 13-14.5Volts (If less check battery wiring is not loose, check you have a good earth wire connection from battery to chassis, check you have tension on alternator belt).
6.If tests are in range then check battery voltage under load, engine running + headlights on, should be 13-14.5Volts
7.After checks if still under voltage range then possible bad alternator or loose alternator wiring.

PHIL069 wrote:1.Check water levels in battery (top up if required)
2.Check you have a good earth wire connection from battery to chassis (tighten if loose)
3.Check battery wiring is not loose (tighten if loose)
4.Check you have tension on alternator belt (tighten if loose)
5.Grab a voltmeter and test the battery voltage, Engine stopped should be 12-12.5Volts (If less charge battery, If wont charge then replace) , Engine running Should be 13-14.5Volts (If less check battery wiring is not loose, check you have a good earth wire connection from battery to chassis, check you have tension on alternator belt).
6.If tests are in range then check battery voltage under load, engine running + headlights on, should be 13-14.5Volts
7.After checks if still under voltage range then possible bad alternator or loose alternator wiring.

if your lazy, do what i did first, take it to super cheap, they got the little device that checks your alternator not just your battery, will give you a receipt with voltages nd shiet + its free!

Checking the voltage with the engine running is checking the alternator

what is your idle speed??

Ok I did some checks tonight and came out with the following:

1) Battery water levels are fine
2) Battery ground is proper
3) Terminals are on properly
4) On idle the car is around 13-14V. However after running for a while and when sitting in traffic for ~1 minute the voltage drops all the way down to 12V. The dash lights also dim at this stage. I also get issues with the lights flickering at this low voltage.
5) Idle speed is ~500 RPM, stable (stepper motor replaced last year)
6) I don't think the alternator is charging the battery properly. Had a few issues today with the car not starting.

So would it be the alternator then?

Would assume so. My voltmeter sits at about 12 without lights/climate control. I would have assumed this was fine as the battery is 12V but ive been told its low and that the alternator is bad/old/on its way out.

Seems to point to your alternator or your battery could have a bad cell or two and not accepting a charge.
I have TAFE this week I will ask my auto elec teacher what he thinks.

I talked to my TAFE teacher and he said it sounds like the voltage regulator in your alternator and this could have also caused your battery to have a bad cell/cells.
Hope this helps

A common issue with FTO's is high resistance in the rear indicator clusters. Supposedly they corrode causing a higher than normal resistance, in turn causes your voltage to drop.