Slow start, batt light flickering & whining!!

[PhillyJ]

Hi all,

So I've just had a load of work done on my car (progress thread coming soon) but have a couple of problems I think all Alternator related... My car is a 2003 VTS

So recently 2 problems have developed. It is making an electrical sounding whining noise from the engine. Raises in tone with revs but not volume. Does it whilst in neutral so not gearbox.

Also when I start the engine it seems to turn over a lot slower than it used to.

The last problem is the battery light flickering on longer journeys. This has been happening for ages. Never had problems starting car even after I've left it for a couple of weeks.

Scouring the forums it seems all of these problems point towards the alternator but don't want to fork out if it's not necessary. I know I need to check alternator connector I'll do that this weekend (I live in London car lives at my Mums as a project in Brighton) also I should check belt tension, how do I do this?!

I think also when cold it makes the slightest belt noise on ocassion only very slight. Possibly related?

I love my saxo but it keeps breaking!!

[VTR_Bass87]

I had the light flickering problem from the battery, turned out it was the positive connection was loose so cause I couldn't be arsed to sort it I put a screw in the gap to hold it in tighter (wouldn't recommend this) but it stopped the light flickering on the dash.. Worth a look I suppose?

[adamspencer]

try the fan belt for the whining it may be loose. For the slow idle check the icv (idle control valve) to see if it opens enough for cold starts. I'd just check all connections between the alternator and battery are tight

[PhillyJ]

Ok so late reply but have been checking this yesterday.. The battery light isn't coming on. Result. Started really well a few times, Result.

The noise is still there, but strangely when I lift the bonnet I can't hear it! But it still seems to go up with revs like it's not a vibration and sounds very electrical.

I'm going to change the fan belt as when cold it makes a slight noise sometimes this I think could solve problems. Guna get a haynes manual how difficult is this job??

Thanks for replies!