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Urgent, any city centre (near Heuston) mechanic that could check an alternator

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  • 22-12-2008 4:11pm
    #1
    Newcarneeded
    Closed Accounts Posts: 81 ✭✭


    I'm due to drive to Kerry for Christmas tomorrow night and need a mechanic or auto electrician to check if my alternator is working.

    I've been having trouble with the battery, it's a 02 Focus, and want to find out if the alternator is charging or draining the battery before i set out on such a long drive.

    Can anyone recommend anyone, preferably city centre based, that could inspect the car?

    Failing that, to troubleshoot the problem, if the alternator was gone I'd expect the battery to discharge reasonably quickly. If i started the car and left it idling on the driveway for a period of time could i work out if the alternator is gone?

    Presumably if it is, it won't take long to discharge the battery? Have you any idea how long I'd need to leave the car idling for to work this out?


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    #2
    Darragh29
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,097 ✭✭✭Darragh29


    Newcarneeded wrote: »
    I'm due to drive to Kerry for Christmas tomorrow night and need a mechanic or auto electrician to check if my alternator is working.

    I've been having trouble with the battery, it's a 02 Focus, and want to find out if the alternator is charging or draining the battery before i set out on such a long drive.

    Can anyone recommend anyone, preferably city centre based, that could inspect the car?

    Failing that, to troubleshoot the problem, if the alternator was gone I'd expect the battery to discharge reasonably quickly. If i started the car and left it idling on the driveway for a period of time could i work out if the alternator is gone?

    Presumably if it is, it won't take long to discharge the battery? Have you any idea how long I'd need to leave the car idling for to work this out?

    What exactly is the problem that makes you think the alternator is gone?


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    #3
    Esel
    Registered Users Posts: 22,032 ✭✭✭✭Esel


    Myles Balfe, Phibsborough Rd D7 specialise in this. Not too far from Heuston Station. They are between McGowan's pub and the Fire Station.

    Not your ornery onager



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    #4
    Matt Simis
    Registered Users Posts: 8,718 ✭✭✭Matt Simis


    esel wrote: »
    Myles Balfe, Phibsborough Rd D7 specialise in this. Not too far from Heuston Station. They are between McGowan's pub and the Fire Station.

    Yes, I second them. I got an Alternator from them (good price) and they tested the original to confirm it was faulty then and there.

    The time to determine if its faulty while driving depends on your Battery condition. If its already low and abused from poor charging, it would probably run down in about 15min of driving. Hard to say when sitting on the driveway, but just look at the battery level on the dash. Should be nearly 14v with the engine on and just over 12v with the engine off but ACC on.


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    #5
    eringobragh
    Registered Users Posts: 3,668 ✭✭✭eringobragh


    Matt Simis wrote: »
    just look at the battery level on the dash. Should be nearly 14v with the engine on and just over 12v with the engine off but ACC on.

    Not every car has a voltmeter.

    OP get your self a cheap multimeter in maplins or woodies there about 8 euro

    Turn the selector to DC 20 (Symbol:120px-DC_Symbol.svg.png)

    Stick the red probe on the postive and black on the negative terminal of your battery and ther reading should be 13.5 - 14 with the car running.


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    #6
    handbraker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 56 ✭✭handbraker


    Sweenys Garage near Christchurch ask for Greig


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    #7
    Newcarneeded
    Closed Accounts Posts: 81 ✭✭Newcarneeded


    Thanks for the help guys.


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    #8
    crosstownk
    Registered Users Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭crosstownk


    Try SDP Motors in Stoneybatter - 01 677 8155.

    Hopefully they'll be able to help.
    Untitled Image




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