Is it the Alternator? 09 1.6TDCI

[StevieIRL]

Hey Guys, 
So firstly the problems the car is issuing is:

• - Headlights flicker bright while taking off from traffic lights / junctions
• - Interior map lights flicker when on and driving / cornering
• - I can hear the steering whine from Radio/Speakers when no music is playing.
• - Most recently since the cold weather there has been a whine coming from the engine at 1000-2000rpm that sounds like a turbo whine, If I turn the Speakers up loudly this noise is amplified through the cars Speakers. (Video Linked Below)

Does this sound like an Alternator issue? I don't get any battery warning lights on the dash. 

If you need anymore info or questions please ask. Its a shame as I've spent so much preparing this car for the NCT(Irelands MOT) and then this happens. 

 

[Albert27]

Hi mate.  You can check the battery/alternator with a multimeter if you have one?  It can give you an indication.  I know that about 5 minutes before my battery & alternator packed up I had a whine  coming from the car.  With ignition off battery should read 12.4 volts.  Start the engine and it should read between 13.5v and 14.8v .  Then switch on headlights, a/c etc and see if it drops at all.

[StevieIRL]

15 hours ago, Albert27 said:

Hi mate.  You can check the battery/alternator with a multimeter if you have one?  It can give you an indication.  I know that about 5 minutes before my battery & alternator packed up I had a whine  coming from the car.  With ignition off battery should read 12.4 volts.  Start the engine and it should read between 13.5v and 14.8v .  Then switch on headlights, a/c etc and see if it drops at all.

Hi, thanks for the reply,  Sadly I don't own one. My local garage should have one, so I'll post back results and see. 

[Albert27]

3 hours ago, StevieIRL said:

Hi, thanks for the reply,  Sadly I don't own one. My local garage should have one, so I'll post back results and see. 

No worries.  You can pick them up for about £8 from Halfords or similar.  They're quite useful for testing resistance on fuses or glow plugs too.

[StevieIRL]

Was at the mechanics earlier, it was as we suspected an Alternator. 
It was pushing 15+ volts at times of revving (hence headlights flashing bright i guess)
Luckily it is covered by my warranty and will be able to get new sorted.

Thanks 

[isetta]

Everyone should have their own multimeter (volts/amps/ohms) and their own OBD code reader. Don't cost much and very useful to have handy.

I also say everyone home should have a soldering iron.......

and a mig welder.......

and an air compressor and paint spray gun........

seriously though - we should all have a multimeter and OBD code reader if we are the type of people who are prepared to open the bonnet on the car

[Albert27]

3 hours ago, isetta said:

Everyone should have their own multimeter (volts/amps/ohms) and their own OBD code reader. Don't cost much and very useful to have handy.

I also say everyone home should have a soldering iron.......

and a mig welder.......

and an air compressor and paint spray gun........

seriously though - we should all have a multimeter and OBD code reader if we are the type of people who are prepared to open the bonnet on the car

I'll just stick to the multimeter & forscan! 

[stef123]

3 hours ago, isetta said:

Everyone should have their own multimeter (volts/amps/ohms) and their own OBD code reader. Don't cost much and very useful to have handy.

I also say everyone home should have a soldering iron.......

and a mig welder.......

and an air compressor and paint spray gun........

seriously though - we should all have a multimeter and OBD code reader if we are the type of people who are prepared to open the bonnet on the car

You say that and yes I kinda agree. Trouble is everyone just gets a loan of a car now..