Technical Alternator not charging

[storm634]

Hi guys, I have a 2007 Fiat Panda 1.2 dynamic and the alternator will not charge the battery. If I jumpstart the car it will run for a few seconds quite poorly and then the screen will flicker and cut out.. Before changing the alternator, I want to check out some other bits and after an OBD scan, it is throwing up a U1600 code. Could this issue be key-related? And what else should I look for before changing the alternator? Thanks

 

[DaveMcT]

A battery left standing for a year is almost certainly dead and gone. However, on any charging / battery issue it's always valuable to check for parasitic drain. It's an easy check and rules out changing parts that are actually ok.

 

[storm634]

An update on the charge-less panda
Okay so the weather is a bit better now and therefore I may be able to do some more work on the panda over the weekend. After seeing an alternator on eBay for only £36 that had come off a low mileage ford KA I decided to buy it so it will be put on at the weekend. If the issue is not solved that way we know for sure there is an electrical fault, at the end of the day for the sake of £36 it doesn’t really matter.

 

[DaveMcT]

An update on the charge-less panda
Okay so the weather is a bit better now and therefore I may be able to do some more work on the panda over the weekend. After seeing an alternator on eBay for only £36 that had come off a low mileage ford KA I decided to buy it so it will be put on at the weekend. If the issue is not solved that way we know for sure there is an electrical fault, at the end of the day for the sake of £36 it doesn’t really matter.

That's often my way of thinking. But always make sure the earth straps are big enough and not corroded.

 

[storm634]

That's often my way of thinking. But always make sure the earth straps are big enough and not corroded.

Yes will certainly check. I just saw it on eBay and it was so cheap so considering I can get it before the weekend and then fit it just made sense to buy it, if it doesn’t work then it doesn’t work at the end of the day..

 

[DaveMcT]

Alternator is removed via the wheel arch. IIRC, one bolt was a struggle to access you'll need a mirror to locate the socket. It's a faff but not really hard to do.

 

[storm634]

Alternator is removed via the wheel arch. IIRC, one bolt was a struggle to access you'll need a mirror to locate the socket. It's a faff but not really hard to do.

I have took the alternator off before without removing the wheel arch as I didn’t have a jack to hand.. it’s a bit of a hassle but it’s definitely do able!!!!!

 

[storm634]

New alternator is on, and the car is charging!! The battery is knackered so it will still not re start but an alternator charging meter shows that it is charging so in the end the alternator was just done for I guess. Just goes to show you should always replace the obvious even if you think there’s more to it.