Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum, in fact i'm new to forums in general. So here's my problem. I could really do with some help!

I bought the above car on a whim about a year ago and although its a genuine low mileage motor with a good service history it has been plagued with issues. I decided as it has spent most of the last twelve months sat in my garage to get it sorted. I took it to my mechanic with the most recent faults, battery light on and a leaking coolant expansion tank.

He replaced the tank and the alternator, whilst the lights don't seem to go dim any longer the charge light is still on. He's getting 13.7 volts at the battery when the car is ticking over with all the lights on, so it is charging. He thinks that the water leak may have dripped onto the old alternator and shorted something out in the car's 'brain'! When he puts his gadget on there's two fault codes. These won't be exact as I can't remember exactly what he said but they're something like this.
'Flight mode malfunction'
'Low alternator gator feedback on wire C'

Can anyone help please?

 

He's fitted an aftermarket/autostore alternator. You need to get to him quickly while he still has the original he removed and have it rebuilt, if, in fact it is actually faulty. The installed alternator will work just fine, but you'll have to stare at the red "BATT" light forevermore if you keep it installed.

 

+1

 

Thank you for your reply.

Does fitting an aftermarket alternator explain the fault codes I mentioned in my original thread and will the car perform OK with the battery receiving 13.7 volts?

 

You've heard the saying, "If it isn't written down, it didn't happen?"
OBDII codes here on the forum are kinda the same way....if you don't post the actual codes, it's like having none, or anything, or everything. Get the actual codes, in the form P#### if they are powertrain codes (C#### for chassis, etc) and post here and I'm sure someone will weigh in. OR, you can download the DTC (for free) from the stickies and read for yourself exactly what triggers them and the Jag-suggested troubleshooting steps.
The alt/batt issue has to do with the implementation of the voltage regulator. The OEM one does some exotic higher voltage-based-on-temp at startup that none of the others do. I think some have reported success at swapping the voltage reg from their orig alt onto the aftermarket one? A search will return lots of info on the issue. Try alternator and Batt or battery light.

 

Thank you for the replies. More issues now! The brakes still squeal, even after having new pads and callipers. The 'sport' light on the gearbox glows very dim (and sometimes not at all) when the lights are turned on, and sometimes just doesn't illuminate when you are driving without the lights on. Any ideas anyone please, I'm getting very close to using this car for target practice?