Hi,Hapy New Year,My Amica is old but in excellent condition (3,000 miles). However, recently there has been an electrical problem, which results in a "surge" effect when my lights, dash, fan etc. seem to blink. The head lights really flash, and the fan can be heard surging. Please advise what the cause of this problem can be. My mobile mechanic says that the alternator seems to be o.k. and I charged the battery as I do not do the mileage I used to. Help please - MaryM
Hello and Welcome to justanswer..The alternator is certainly the suspect here...The problem with just "testing" as it were... its likely fine on test with a problem like this - but out on the road / in use... it then plays up..WIth surging , its an intermittent fault.. so again, very often, they won't do it in when tested...To , I don't know how he did the test - if he just tested it in an "average" way which does tend to be how a lot of people do it , it won't show up at all as faulty. It needs in depth testing - testing it with the headlamps on - to include the other electrical items - heated rear window - heater blower - other lights - radio etc - giving the alternator a good load / some work to do, which is when it is likely to show up as faulty...So thats how it should be tested and if nothing shows up that way, it should be removed and tested on a test bench at a local auto electrical place where they have the proper test equipment.I notice you say you charged the battery - if the battery was flat in need of a charge.. this , coupled with the above - can indicate alternator troubles to but of course, the battery should be professionally tested as well.... and then go from there as found with the results of the test.As for the door lock issue - this will have to have the door panel removed to make a visual / physical check to see whats wrong - likely it will need a new CDL - locking motor unit.I Sincerely XXXXX XXXXX have helped you - but do ask me if you need anything more..
Kind Rgds, MIKE
Feedback and any Bonuses are always appreciated too. Thank you.
Hi Mike,
Many thanks, the reason for charging the battery was because when Halfords replaced it a couple of years ago they supplied one which my mechanic says was too small. It has never let me down, however, even in the very cold weather.
You obviously feel I should get the alternator checked again more thoroughly by a professional auto electrician. Do do think that the door lock coud be contributing?
Regards, XXXXX
FEEDBACK
This site is almost impossible to leave feedback. I have tried several times.
When you confirmed my suspicion that my car electrical fault was due to the alternator, despite my mechanic not being sure, I went ahead and had an auto electrician replace it, and no more trouble. Thanks XXXXX
Hello again.. This is MIKE who helped you ..IM glad all was sorted out for you with my help / advice...Don't worry about the Feedback if you can't find how to to do it - there should be a link to do it - but don't worry .. ( you likely have had system messages about it - I have no control over that ... )Again - Im very glad all got sorted out for you ..You are Welcome back anytime.Best Rgds.. MIKE...