Flashing battery indicator

Tiny
MELVINMA826
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 OPEL MERIVA
Hi, I have a Meriva 2005 model.

When I start the engine, the light on the dashboard showing the battery sign keeps flashing.

May I know what does this indicate?

Someone said it has something to do with the alternator.

If it has to do with the alternator, how would a spoilt alternator affect the car?

Also, usually how long is the lifespan of an alternator?

Many thanks!
Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 AT 3:17 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
THE ALTERNATOR MAY BE WORKING---OR MAYBE NOT!

YOU MAY HAVE A FUSE OR CONNECTION PROBLEM PREVENTING THE ALTERNATOR FROM CHARGING

EVEN JUMP STARTING SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS

VERIFY YOU HAVE A PROBLEM BY TESTING YOUR BATTERY VOLTAGE (CAR OFF) AND ALTERNATOR'S VOLTAGE, AGAIN AT THE BATTERY (CAR RUNNING)

EVEN A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR CAN GO BAD IMMEDIATELY---SOME SEEM TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. IT'S MAN-MADE AND HAS NO SET LIFESPAN

THE MEDIC
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Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 AT 3:44 AM
Tiny
MELVINMA826
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for your reply.

I have decided to change the alternator.

The question is now should I get a 100Amp or 120Amp alternator? Mine is a 1.6L, Engine code: Z16XE (Petrol).

What is the real practical difference between the 2 types of alternator?

Which is recommended?

Thank you!
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 4:06 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
I'M UNABLE TO LOOK UP YOUR VEHICLE IN "MITCHELL I" OR AT U.S. AUTO PARTS STORES

THE GENERAL RULE OF THUMB IS TO GO BACK WITH THE ORIGINAL SIZE

IF YOU HAVE INSTALLED "BIG-TIME JUICE DRAWING" COMPONENTS LIKE A BIG OLE AMP--LIGHTS--SIRENS--ETC. THE BIGGER ONE MAY BE BETTER TO HAVE

MANY TIMES. THE "$$$" DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 100 AMP AND 120 AMP, MIGHT INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION ALSO!

I DID LOOK UP ALTERNATORS FOR SEVERAL 2005 VEHICLES IN THE U.S. AT THE autozone. Com SITE

NOW-A-DAYS, YOU GOTTA COMPUTER AND SO MUCH OTHER ELECTRICAL CRAP

A BIG F-250 DIESEL PICK-UP TRUCK USES A 135 AMP

A CHEVROLET MALIBU CAR IS USING A 115 AMP

THEN YOU GOT ME AND MY TWO PRESENT JEEPS (OF SEVEN TOTAL OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HAD NOTHING ELSE), "WILLY" AND "MR. JEEP". BOTH ARE DAILY DRIVERS, MY PRIMARY TRANSPORTATION. ONE IS 66 YEARS YOUNG, THE OTHER IS STILL A BABY, HE'S ONLY 35 YEARS OLD

MY 1946 WILLYS GOT CHANGED FROM A 6 VOLT GENERATOR TO A "WHOPPING" 63 AMP 12 VOLT ALTERNATOR (STANDARD FOR 1976-1986 CJ 5 & 7s)

I UPGRADED MY 1977 CJ 5 FROM A 63 AMP TO A 90 AMP, WHEN I INSTALLED MY "TRAIN HORN" AND "12 VOLT AIR COMPRESSOR" TO RUN IT.

I ALSO ADDED A "SECONDARY HOMEMADE HEATER" W/ A STRONG BLOWER MOTOR AND HEATER CORE.I DON'T LIKE TO BE COLD. WHEN YOU TURN THIS ONE ON, YOU'D THINK YOU WERE IN AN OVEN, NOT IN A TRADITIONAL JEEP!

EVEN THOUGH I DON'T HAVE A COMPUTER IN EITHER JEEP, I DO NOTICE MY LIGHTS DON'T DIM OR FLICKER WHEN I TURN ON MY "BIG ENERGY EATERS"

KEEP US POSTED ON WHAT YOU DECIDE. MOST LIKELY, YOU'LL DECIDE ON GETTING A JEEP!

THE MEDIC
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
MELVINMA826
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hahaha. I am not adventurous to get a jeep.

I simply bought the 120 amp alternator because there is no stock for the 100 amp one. So far so good.
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Monday, August 13th, 2012 AT 1:57 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,005 POSTS
THE WORD WAS NOT VOCABULARY UNTIL THE JEEP CAME ALONG IN 1940---NONE OF US WERE 'ADVENTUROUS UNTIL WE EXPERIENCED SEEING THIS OR A SIMILAR VIEW, WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD

GIVE THE ALTERNATOR A FEW DAYS.....THE JEEP THING WILL NEVER LEAVE YOUR MIND!

LEMME KNOW HOW THINGS PAN OUT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHhHuXnb6eQ&feature=player_detailpage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxQhuwMNOVs&feature=fvwrel

THE MEDIC
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Monday, August 13th, 2012 AT 4:01 AM

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