VW Golf Battery Warning Light

hotelpolo

Hi

New to boards and need some advice on a warning light I have on my dash for my battery.
Have spoken to a few garages and they seem to think it's probably either the alternator or belt and brought it to one but they gave me a midtronics reading they took off the battery and told me that its ok for now but no idea how long the battery/alternator has but I don't really get what this readout is telling me.

Anyone know how long I might have before the battery/alternator will jack in and stop me dead and what exactly this midtronics readout is telling me?

Midtronics readout

Battery Test
GOOD, RECHARGE

Volts 12.33V
Measured 578A EN
Rating 680A EN

Bat. Time REGULAR
Bat. Location IN VEHICLE

START TEST

VOLTS 10.27v

CHARGING TEST

VOLTS 12.09v

Any help appreciated

jimgoose

The battery is at about 75% charge but the loaded (starting) voltage looks good. However, the charging voltage is way down - it should be around 14.3 volts. Looks like an alternator issue right enough.

hotelpolo

Thanks for the reply Jim.

Is it possible to gauge from this readout how long I have until the alternator stops charging the battery altogether and car wont run any more or is it a lucky dip. The battery is prob 24-30 months old.

jimgoose

hotelpolo wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Jim.

Is it possible to gauge from this readout how long I have until the alternator stops charging the battery altogether and car wont run any more or is it a lucky dip. The battery is prob 24-30 months old.

It's Rafferty's Rules, I'm afraid.

hotelpolo

You seem to know your stuff Jim, any ideas on replacements prices if it is a new alternator that's needed.

TheBully

hotelpolo wrote: »

You seem to know your stuff Jim, any ideas on replacements prices if it is a new alternator that's needed.

There's a lad down my way in mayo that reconditions alternators for 40 quid! If ur nearby, he's not the type of lad that that does the whole post and courier thing! Ud have to drop in and collect! He's old school

hotelpolo

TheBully wrote: »

There's a lad down my way in mayo that reconditions alternators for 40 quid! If ur nearby, he's not the type of lad that that does the whole post and courier thing! Ud have to drop in and collect! He's old school

In Kildare/Dublin but might be able to swing something. Where abouts in Mayo is he?

TheBully

hotelpolo wrote: »

In Kildare/Dublin but might be able to swing something. Where abouts in Mayo is he?

Just outside ballina! Price a new one in an auto factors and ul know from there if its worth ur while before u do anything!!

jimgoose

hotelpolo wrote: »

You seem to know your stuff Jim, any ideas on replacements prices if it is a new alternator that's needed.

Changing an alternator is straightforward enough - a competent mechanic should sort it in about an hour. What model/year is the Golf?

sean1141

I paid 200 to get one on a seat leon fully refurbed. There is a clutch pulley on them which can give bother and is expensive enough to replace

jimgoose

sean1141 wrote: »

I paid 200 to get one on a seat leon fully refurbed. There is a clutch pulley on them which can give bother and is expensive enough to replace

Mmm. New one be a couple hundred Euro I reckon, and possibly a bit more.

hotelpolo

jimgoose wrote: »

Changing an alternator is straightforward enough - a competent mechanic should sort it in about an hour. What model/year is the Golf?

Its a 2.0 litre 2000 Diesel Golf Jim. Was quoted 250 refurbed and 450 new in 2 places in Sandyford. Both seem a little steep and will struggle with either coming up to Christmas so will be looking to buy and have fitted seperately if it works out cheaper. Is there any issues with going with refubed rather than new?

hotelpolo

TheBully wrote: »

Just outside ballina! Price a new one in an auto factors and ul know from there if its worth ur while before u do anything!!

Cheers Bully, will do a bit of scouting about tomorrow but may be back in touch with you on that man from Ballina

sean1141

hotelpolo wrote: »

Its a 2.0 litre 2000 Diesel Golf Jim. Was quoted 250 refurbed and 450 new in 2 places in Sandyford. Both seem a little steep and will struggle with either coming up to Christmas so will be looking to buy and have fitted seperately if it works out cheaper. Is there any issues with going with refubed rather than new?

There is no 2.0l diesel golfs in 2000. It must be a 1.9. I know its not much in the difference but it might matter when your pricing one. The one I got refurbed for the leon for 200 was everything done, basically the same as new.

You might pick up one cheaper in a breakers yard but your taking a chance on it