Alternator warning light

[killzusall]

Yet more trouble with my Golf, it's a 99T MK4 1.6 SE. I had the battery symbol come upon the dash while I was going along, so went and bought new battery. Light still comes on and according to vw handbook it means alternator problem. Checked drive belt, it isn't broken or loose. Vagcom isn't showing any codes. But still can't clear this light, any ideas? My brother is going to lend me his multimeter later to test if its charging, how do i do this? just see if the voltage increases????

[ben.uk1]

Sounds similar to this.....

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...nator+workshop

I keep seeing the same warning (alternator - workshop) just before my car stalls, could it be the same thing? is it a common fault?

[killzusall]

I've checked the voltage and it drops slightly when running (i assume due to devices etc... draining the battery). Could it be the power line to the battery, or is it safe to say the alternator has gone.

When driving along I had abs warning lights come up, airbag warning light, electric windows opened real slow and car eventually conked out like the ignition leads were having a problem, also the fact its petrol rather than diesel, I think it is more likely to be electrical than fuel filter, but thank you for the suggestion, all are welcome.

[dainott2105]

when you battery warning light is it the orange one with the triangle cos i have a 2.0 8v and the light has come on in that? Had the alternator changed a few months ago so if thats the right light then it must be the battery?

[mwshy]

Had the same problem a few months ago. Alternator light came on, dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. Ended up being the alternator being faulty. Apparently alternator was throwing out 18V effectively cooking the battery over time, so if you change the battery for a new one, same thing will happen again until alternator is changed. Cost me around £250 to repair. Hope this helps.

[killzusall]

Had the same problem a few months ago. Alternator light came on, dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. Ended up being the alternator being faulty. Apparently alternator was throwing out 18V effectively cooking the battery over time, so if you change the battery for a new one, same thing will happen again until alternator is changed. Cost me around £250 to repair. Hope this helps.

Had a look around and a lot of places will sell you a remanufactured one for about £110+ if you give them your old one in exchange. I rang my local breakers to see if they had any, and he said being VW it would be a Bosch altenator (which it is) and that thevoltage regulator usually goes on them, replaced it for £40 + VAT. so under £50 to fix thankfully, picking it up tomorrow, and hopefully thats the end of the problem. They said they've tested it out first. Thankyou to everyone who has posted possible solutions.

--Update--

Got it back today and all is well, another bonus was it was £40 inc. VAT so saved even more, glad I didn't just go out and get another one.

when you battery warning light is it the orange one with the triangle cos i have a 2.0 8v and the light has come on in that? Had the alternator changed a few months ago so if thats the right light then it must be the battery?

It was a little red battery symbol by the parking brake light, not orange and didn't have a triangle.

[dainott2105]

Cheers for the reply. There is a new alternator on there mate, but think i will replace the battery and see if that helps. The light has not come on for a week now so a little puzzled by this one