Strange thing happened to my car! - Opinions?

C_Breeze

Hey , strange thing happened with my car last night. Just wondering if anyone could shed some light because im baffled

I was driving southbound last night and after the toll bride (stuck in traffic :rolleyes:) Some feint smoke start coming up from under my bonnet, checked the temp gauge and it was spot on so engine wasn’t overheating.

I took the next off ramp and stopped at a petrol station opened the bonnet and there was smoke coming from somewhere. I checked all the fluid and they were fine and oil level was perfect aswell. So engine was not overheating and there was no other effects then smoke.

So I left it idling for about 10 minutes and the smoke stopped (this was light grey smoke not dense black smoke or anything)

Then When I got back into my car , I noticed that 2 lights where faintly illuminated in the dash (Battery and fog lights) ... and it illuminated even stronger when I stepped on the brake ... but when I turned the rear window demister and or the heater off the faintly dimmed lights went off. And also the windows were moving up and down slower and the wipers were not as fast as usual.

But by this stage the smoke had completely stopped. So I was on my way .. and the car has been Perfect since

Any ideas as to what it could be???

grahamo

Something similar happened to me a few years back. It turned out to be a problem with the alternator.

peasant

Sounds like an electrical problem to me.

Something shorted, went up in smoke and frazzled your electrics.

Could be the alternator, could be a fuse or an earth connection.

Get it checked asap ...you might have a fire in the waiting there...

mike65

Ditto the above. Sounds like the alternators had enough of this world. If thats the case you won't have any power for long even if you get the car started.

Mike.

DaDa

Yep... your next journey might find you grinding to a halt... somewhere on our beloved M50 with no hard shoulder to pull in to! :eek:

C_Breeze

The smoke was indeed coming from the section of the engine bay where the alternator is located, but it was hard to pin point it from exactly where.

I have never had the experience of a faulty alternator before so i could not tie it in with that for definite but I had a hunch that it may be the alternator.

Drove the car perfectly this mornin without any trouble , so maybe I should source a new alternator for it ASAP then. As mentioned, dont wanna find myself stuck in an unpleaseant situation on the beloved M50.


Would a faulty alternator cause these side efffects? (such as dash lights and slow moving wipers/windows) . I was under the imprssion that all the alternator does is charge a battery while the engine is running. hmmm so why the smoke???


Thanks for the replies

grahamo

C_Breeze wrote:

The smoke was indeed coming from the section of the engine bay where the alternator is located, but it was hard to pin point it from exactly where.

I have never had the experience of a faulty alternator before so i could not tie it in with that for definite but I had a hunch that it may be the alternator.

Drove the car perfectly this mornin without any trouble , so maybe I should source a new alternator for it ASAP then. As mentioned, dont wanna find myself stuck in an unpleaseant situation on the beloved M50.


Would a faulty alternator cause these side efffects? (such as dash lights and slow moving wipers/windows) . I was under the imprssion that all the alternator does is charge a battery while the engine is running. hmmm so why the smoke???


Thanks for the replies

If the battery isn't being charged properly by the alternator the lights/wipers/heater etc. will run down your battery, hence warning lights coming on.

Anan1

C_Breeze - Are you anywhere near the Camden St area? If so, i'd recommend bringing it to Hamiltons. They're good, and not too expensive.

C_Breeze

Im looking to price a new alternator ... I have rang a few motor factors but no joy.

Can anybody recommend a place or know where I could get one?

Its for a 94 Mazda MX-3 1.8i V6

Esel

Myles Balfe in Broadstone (near Fire Station), also on southside. Get number in Golden Pages. They will test your alternator and fit a reconditioned one if necessary. You will have comeback if the 'new' one gives problems later.

Don't go buying a new one (expensive anyway!) until you know you need one. Also, if you buy one you either fit it yourself or pay someone to do so. If it fails later, you are left with doing/paying for the work again.

Marcus.Aurelius

Find a crashed one if you can in a scrap-yard. I know those MX3s are rare, so you may be looking for a while

MercMad

First check the fan belt is tightened correctly and is in good condition, then check the alternator earth strap !

C_Breeze

Anan1 and Esel .. thanks , i'll give them a ring and check them out.

Esel

Do what MercMad suggested first.

barryfitz

C_Breeze wrote:

Would a faulty alternator cause these side efffects? (such as dash lights and slow moving wipers/windows) .

I think so. Have you never noticed your lights getting brighter as you rev the engine from idle. I think (no attacks please, just correct me if im wrong)the alternator provides the electrical power when the engine is running (like a mini generator). All the battery does is start the engine no? Thats why the wipers and windows would be slow

sc4rf4ce

it also keeps the engine running. without the spark plugs you would have no combustion.

jrar

My alternator gave up the ghost last April - went to an auto-electric (and clutch) specialist behind Abrakebabra in Blanch village (on Main st.) - ecxcellent service - checked it out and fitted a reconditioned replacement same day working until 9 that night, for a fraction of what a new alternator plus fitting would have cost i.e under €200.

C_Breeze

Got a quick check done with an multimeter and it was reading 14v which is perfect and the guy said "it seems to be charging up without a problem so there doesnt seem to be an issue with the alternator" ... hmm