Hi, I have a potential issue with my 2004 Espace which I assumed was to do with the Alternator, but from reading other posts it seems it might not necessarily be so straight forward, especially as the issue appears to be intermittent!
Basically, on a run of about 10 miles yesterday, about 9 miles into the journey the STOP and BATTERY dashboard lights came on with an audible warning (which repeated about 3 more times over the next mile or so). As there was no noticeable problem with the car and it was driving normally I continued to my destination. Assuming it might be alternator related I turned off the fan and heater and revved the engine but the warning lights stayed on! I checked under the bonnet and nothing was obviously wrong (I am no mechanic, but no smoke, smells, oil etc!). About an hour later I returned to the car to drive the 10 miles home, and it started ok but the same dash warning lights came on again instantly. It was dark so I had headlights on etc and did notice that the rear wiper was slower than usual! About 5 miles into the journey home involved a section of dual carriageway and having reached about 60mph I noticed the warning lights had gone off. On arriving home the headlights etc still seemed their usual brightness and I turned off the engine and it turned over and started again ok! It has also started up fine today (with no dash warning lights), although I haven't driven it as am a bit wary about doing so!
I have checked the alternator belt is in place and doesn't appear to be slipping (no slipping type noises anyway), so I am wondering what it might have been and whether to risk driving it without getting it checked out? I don't want to take it into the garage and have them tell me I need a new alternator (£££'s!) unless it really does, so am wondering if any expert out there can suggest what it might be. I've read about loose connections and earths, which I'm thinking it might be due to the fact the problem appears to have gone away. Anyway, any help would be much appreciated.
In case it might be relevent, I've had the car for about 5 years so know it's history and I've never had anything like this before. It had a new battery and starter motor about 9 months ago, and the cam belt changed last summer.
Thanks.
Basically, on a run of about 10 miles yesterday, about 9 miles into the journey the STOP and BATTERY dashboard lights came on with an audible warning (which repeated about 3 more times over the next mile or so). As there was no noticeable problem with the car and it was driving normally I continued to my destination. Assuming it might be alternator related I turned off the fan and heater and revved the engine but the warning lights stayed on! I checked under the bonnet and nothing was obviously wrong (I am no mechanic, but no smoke, smells, oil etc!). About an hour later I returned to the car to drive the 10 miles home, and it started ok but the same dash warning lights came on again instantly. It was dark so I had headlights on etc and did notice that the rear wiper was slower than usual! About 5 miles into the journey home involved a section of dual carriageway and having reached about 60mph I noticed the warning lights had gone off. On arriving home the headlights etc still seemed their usual brightness and I turned off the engine and it turned over and started again ok! It has also started up fine today (with no dash warning lights), although I haven't driven it as am a bit wary about doing so!
I have checked the alternator belt is in place and doesn't appear to be slipping (no slipping type noises anyway), so I am wondering what it might have been and whether to risk driving it without getting it checked out? I don't want to take it into the garage and have them tell me I need a new alternator (£££'s!) unless it really does, so am wondering if any expert out there can suggest what it might be. I've read about loose connections and earths, which I'm thinking it might be due to the fact the problem appears to have gone away. Anyway, any help would be much appreciated.
In case it might be relevent, I've had the car for about 5 years so know it's history and I've never had anything like this before. It had a new battery and starter motor about 9 months ago, and the cam belt changed last summer.
Thanks.
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