Mobile Mechanic/Problem Diagnosis, Help Required - 17th Dec 2015 12:21pm
A double request on this one, wondering if anyone can help?
First the problem, and what I believe it to be. I'll try to keep it simple but as detailed as I can.
54 plate, Vauxhall Astra H Elite, 1.7 Diesel.
Driving along, stereo starts cutting out, the factory stereo is awful and is temperamental to say the least, so not surprised. Driving later on, the heater blower starts cutting in/out. Got my attention now, potentially an electrical problem, will see how it plays out. 3rd driving outing, ABS warning light comes on, then goes out. Then the Engine warning light comes on, then goes out. Then both lights come on and stay on, along with a couple of others. Dashboard display starts to dim and the wipers go sluggish, finally ending in the power steering going. Engine still running at this point.
Limped home (was only very local at the time), switched the engine off. Tried to switch it on, nothing, dead.
So, my conclusion; either the battery, alternator or associated (belt, cable, etc) has gone down. Which after research, the alternator is a common problem with these.
This morning tried to start the car, it was not happy about it, but it did start. Checked the voltage at the battery terminals, 7 volts and rapidly dropping, indicating to me that it is a problem with the alternator and the engine is running entirely off battery power, or the voltage would be around the 14 volts mark, so the battery is not at fault. Checked all the fuses, nothing wrong there.
Thus leaving the alternator, alternator belt, or related wiring being the fault.
So, question 1 being, does anyone agree/not agree with my rudimentary diagnosis?
Question 2, does anyone know of a good, affordable mobile mechanic that would be able to fix the problem at a good price?(worst time of year financially *sad face*)
And question 3, what kind of prices are we looking at for this work?
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
First the problem, and what I believe it to be. I'll try to keep it simple but as detailed as I can.
54 plate, Vauxhall Astra H Elite, 1.7 Diesel.
Driving along, stereo starts cutting out, the factory stereo is awful and is temperamental to say the least, so not surprised. Driving later on, the heater blower starts cutting in/out. Got my attention now, potentially an electrical problem, will see how it plays out. 3rd driving outing, ABS warning light comes on, then goes out. Then the Engine warning light comes on, then goes out. Then both lights come on and stay on, along with a couple of others. Dashboard display starts to dim and the wipers go sluggish, finally ending in the power steering going. Engine still running at this point.
Limped home (was only very local at the time), switched the engine off. Tried to switch it on, nothing, dead.
So, my conclusion; either the battery, alternator or associated (belt, cable, etc) has gone down. Which after research, the alternator is a common problem with these.
This morning tried to start the car, it was not happy about it, but it did start. Checked the voltage at the battery terminals, 7 volts and rapidly dropping, indicating to me that it is a problem with the alternator and the engine is running entirely off battery power, or the voltage would be around the 14 volts mark, so the battery is not at fault. Checked all the fuses, nothing wrong there.
Thus leaving the alternator, alternator belt, or related wiring being the fault.
So, question 1 being, does anyone agree/not agree with my rudimentary diagnosis?
Question 2, does anyone know of a good, affordable mobile mechanic that would be able to fix the problem at a good price?(worst time of year financially *sad face*)
And question 3, what kind of prices are we looking at for this work?
Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.