In message , Derek ^
writes
My own car got torched (totalled) by burglars this week in an award
winning "Secured by design" car park. Story he

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5058976.html

Struggled home and went to use SWMBO's car and found it had a flat
battery due to being stood. No problem, we've a cheap plastic 6A
battery charger. Connected it up and it drew a spark on connection but
all the lights went out on the charger. Turns out the vehicle wiring
used a dull red colour for the -ve and black for the +ve, and it was
dark. :-((( Charger may be nackered now.

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. :-(

There was someone selling a 5 series BMW for £300 in UKRM the other day
- comfy ride for 700 miles

- just go ands buy another cheap car for the trip and flog it on once
you're sorted again


--
geoff