battery warning light not showing at all

[jamie18]

my car broke down the other day. the AA man said needs new alternator.

he also mentioned the battery warning light

just got new alternator put in. i still dont get the battery warning light up when the ignition is on. suppose to get it up for bout 3 secs. anyone know where to look or the problem.

thanks

 

[RUM4MO]

Hum might be "old hat" and I've never experienced it, but in "the olden days" the excitation current was limited by running it through the warning bulb, so if this bulb failed or failed and the wrong type of bulb fitted, then the generator would malfunction. I'd think that nowadays the excitation current line and the "ignition warning light" line are two completely separate functions - maybe its only your warning bulb that has failed - and because of this you failed to notice that the warning was being given when the alternator failed.

Strangely I've seen this question asked not that long ago - maybe on another forum!

 

[jamie18]

ok ill look into it. its only just happened. i have seen the battery light before coz i got glow plugs so have to look and wait untill they go off its only now its not appearing. which is why my car broke down because didnt see warinig light. just got all other abs light and air bag lights

thanks

 

[RUM4MO]

I've just used search using your thread title and found one that says if the famous wire below the gearbox is broken then when you switch the key on this light will not come on, but if you start the car and the generator starts charging the battery then this light will come on - I've no experience of this problem with a VAG product - I'm just quoting an older posting.

If the idea about the excitation wire being broken is what has happened to your car, I'd be amazed that the AA have not heard of that - and I'd be thinking that your original altenator would be okay!

 

[jamie18]

ok cheers ill have a look in daylight tommorow. he mention wiring into a seat dealer to look at wiring diagram or the regulator i got new alternator now anyway so thought that might puit light on at start up.

 

[Nath.]

Hum might be "old hat" and I've never experienced it, but in "the olden days" the excitation current was limited by running it through the warning bulb, so if this bulb failed or failed and the wrong type of bulb fitted, then the generator would malfunction. I'd think that nowadays the excitation current line and the "ignition warning light" line are two completely separate functions - maybe its only your warning bulb that has failed - and because of this you failed to notice that the warning was being given when the alternator failed.

Strangely I've seen this question asked not that long ago - maybe on another forum!

The warning light is an LED so the chances of it failing are very slim.

There is a thread about the broken wire near the gearbox or ask Muddyboots as he knows all about it.