BX16V.com Forum

Hi all,

I'm planning a holiday in spain to go with my valver but now the following. My alternater light was gone today after using a multi-meter it shows it's perfectly charging my battery (13,4-13,8v). Then I turned the engine off again and pop there's the light again with ignition on.

two questions: should I replace the alternator or not? I've tested it several times and it shows it's correctly charging the battery. I'm going to drive next week +/- 3000kms.

next question: if you guys advise me to replace it. how can I get it out. It's a valver with a/c so there's no way I'm getting the alternator out downwards. Only way is up I guess...

Sounds like a dodgey connection. If the battery light doesn't illuminate on ignition, the alternator isn't connected (or the exciter lead isn't). If it comes on while driving, it's connected but not charging (or not charging enough). And if the bulb in the dash fails, it won't charge at all.

That was the first thought that crossed my mind: dodgy connection. It charges like it should. Even with all equipment using max power (aircon on, blower full, etc) it shows at idle 12,8V and if I rev it a little it nicely comes up to 13,4-13,5. Idle without excessive power use: 13,78V
Citroen dealer alternater tester showed it's in excellent nick. It's just that damn light If I weren't going on holiday I would definately leave it sitting there....

Maybe a dodgy connection or even the alternator, run it daily from now and see if anything goes bust.

Carry a spare if you have too, its easy to replace so don't worry,
All the cars can interchange eg, Xantia, ZX , they all fit ,petrol models that is (8V XU)

Thanks I'm currently posting from spain. All went well and the valver drives the mountes up and down like a dream. Alternator still charges like it should so I guess the connection was a little dodgy. Just curiousity: how do you replace it without taking the aircon compressor off the car? Guess the inlet manifold is in the way then?

remove all the brackets and it will come out with some persuasion,
no need to remove manifold.

remember the bulb is in the circuit to the excitor. If it lights up, then the alternator isn't being correctly fed and will not be working correctly. The exception is if the bulb is dimly lit, this can be caused by dirt.

I've normally found the excitor wire to the alternator to become intermitently faulty, but not snapped, at the alternator.