what does this mean?

[Graham]

when the red battery symbol stays on permenantly on the dash board?

[Timc_182]

usually means that the battery is not being charged, happened on mine, the alternator belt had snapped.

[Graham]

damn that dont sound good. ive noticed that the speedo lights are also quite dim?

[jamie_k]

yeah the chargin system is not working properly, could be the belt, or need new alternator

[jay-vtr]

The battery isnt being sufficiently charged, either the belt is loose, or the alternator is on its way out :)
You can adjust the tension of the belt easily, look at the alternator and it has an adjuster on there.
If adjustment does not fix it then im affraid you will need a new alternator mate.

[Timc_182]

the belt is only about £10. there is a way to dim the dash lights, when the engine is running push and hold the right button in the dash (same to reset the trip counter) that may brighten it up.

[jimmy2006]

when the red battery symbol stays on permenantly on the dash board?
Check the fan belt if ok your alternator may have gone wrong

[Graham]

the alternator went just before xmas and had that repaired for like £200! how much will a new one be:(

[jay-vtr]

get a price from a motor factors mate, fit it yourself, well easy :) save yourself some cash

[jamie_k]

got refurbed one for about 50 quid before and fitted myself

[Predator_R32]

few things to check

battery clamps
any earths on the alternator or battery
get he battery and alternator checked
fil the battery cells up eith distilled water so it covers the plates

[Graham]

ok cars dead now lol. batteries completely died. on the way back the lights all went out:(

[mickoo]

you could try looking at the alt and seeing if the wires connections are in good nick and what not as myn snapped before just took the washer of and wrapped the wire around the bolt and squished it on with a washer and nut . try checking as above and also feel the altanator well u cant now but when the engines been running hold the altanotor and feel for heat on it if it hot its charging

[Speller_18]

when mine did this, i got told that the wiring for the alternator going wrong is a common problem, this is what happend n had it fixed in bout 20 mins at a garage

[craigy_87]

happened to my car an was the bearings in the alternator dying

i just bought a 2nd hand alternator an fitted it myself :y:
ya could always get a 2nd hand alternator an a new belt an fit them both would only cost about 60 quid altogehter
you'll need to jump start the car aswell once your done or charge the battery somehow

[Craigyyboi_Vts]

This is happening to my car just now!!

At the altenator there is a clip with two wires in it! mines is completely ripped off as if its been snipped! but they wires from the plug are too short so they can only touch but not long enough to join!

once touched the light goes off so check that! mite not be though

either that or the battery is not charging as it should


craigyy

[bullit]

or its the crankshaft pulley