Solid Red Battery Light? Help

[Lockee]

I've looked on the forum but cant seem to find anything just the same as this.

I had the car parked up for the winter and car was running perfect.
Started it after about a month, but the battery was flat.
Jumped it, and it ran for 5 minutes or so and then just cut out.
I didnt have time to look at it again until last week.
I charged the battery outside of the car on a charger and it started, ran for 5 minutes again then the car dies.
I get maybe one attempt at starting it again and then there is like the battery is flat again.

I put the battery into an old polo lying at the house and it has started and runs fine.
I put the polo battery in the leon and it did the same process of starting, then dying and not restarting.
The car will run fine when the jump battery is still providing power.

Assuming its the alternator at this point? Wondering if anyone has had a similar issue.

 

[Gokiwi64]

If you have a voltmeter you can check the alternator, but the other thing to look for is corrosion around the terminal box that sits on top of the batteries - this is a known issue.

 

[Lockee]

If you have a voltmeter you can check the alternator, but the other thing to look for is corrosion around the terminal box that sits on top of the batteries - this is a known issue.

Have a neighbour on the way with a voltmeter. Doesnt seem to be any corrosion around the box. Cleaned the terminals and attachments to the battery. It will start but if i turn it off it wont go again.

 

[mty12345]

If battery light is on with car runnning then charging system isn't charging. Looking for between 13-14V with engine running will confirm

 

[BigJase88]

You want 14.4 volts with the engine running.

From your findings i would say before even checking your alternator is goosed.

new alternator time

 

[Lockee]

You want 14.4 volts with the engine running.

From your findings i would say before even checking your alternator is goosed.

new alternator time

This is a sad time. Any reason why it would just die? I assume sitting up but it was only for 2 months...

 

[BigJase88]

This is a sad time. Any reason why it would just die? I assume sitting up but it was only for 2 months...

The mark 1 leon is between 15 and 20 years old. Things have a lifetime and i guess the alternator has came to the end of its lifetime. Not uncommon in an older car

 

[christhanah274]

I have the same issue, thanks