My own car got torched (totalled) by burglars this week in an award winning "Secured by design" car park. Story here:
So got a spare battery + jump leads, got it started ran it for half an hour and went to supermarket 1 mile away, and back no problems. 2 days later (last night, in darkness) went out again, car started fine, but on returning to car at destination engine refused to start despite starter motor turning over normally. "Engine" warning light flashing and Batt. warning light on continuously. After 3 mins buggering about it starts and runs normally (batt light remains on) , but half way home (headlights on) instrument panel lights dim alarmingly, turn headlights off but little improvement, lights continue to dim, seemingly only just make it home although engine running faultlessly. On getting out of car interior light comes on full brightness, try headlights, they come on and stay on full brightness. Tried it this morning - starts and runs normally, all warning lights remain off.
What's the betting on this? A burnt out diode in the alternator causing low output? I wouldn't have thought the cheap 6A charger was man enough to do that. Initial recharge not long enough IME in the past once the cars been jump started it's been OK.?
Tried on my own drive the alternator appears able to sustain headlights + heated rear window + cig lighter.
Any thoughts ? I've got a 700 mile trip this week which will be bad enough in a < 1 litre Corsa without the electrics dying on me in the bleak bit between Dundee and Aberdeen. :-(
DG