Drive Belt Problem? Battery light stays on

[danhaines]

Hi,

I have recently had a few glitches with my Saxo Furio 02 plate. When I start the engine the battery light stays on and I have no power steering. It started off it would do it every now and then but now it does it constantly until I rev the engine, and then its all fine. I have been told it's most likely the Drive Belt which is slipping. How would I check this? Does anyone have an ideas?

Dan

[J222JRA]

if it was the drivebelt it would be squealing like crazy. May be that the alternator is on its way out, it would explain the problem because the higher the revs are the more power it produces.

Start the car, and measure the battery voltage on idle.

[ChrisWoolfenden]

i wasn't aware that voltage could affect the steering assist, maybe it's a prob with the alt and steering assist, or a duff battery

[danhaines]

Took it to the garage yesterday, the belt was fine and yep, the alternator had gone. Cheers guys.