Flickering lights and rough running

[jazzyrath]

hi.
I have had a 2004 1.5dci for a few years and when this problem started it was intermittent, its now all the time. The head lights flicker all the time as also does the interior and dash lights. It appears not to increase with engine revs and is aprox happening twice a second, any one able to tell me what needs looking at ????

When sitting at idle you can feel the car surge every 2 secs which coincides with the lights.

I need help asap as this piece of sh*t car is doing my head in.

Its been in the mechanics so much he is sick looking at it.

HELP ME Obi Wan

[kornnut106]

my car done the same thing it was the a dodgy alternator it would'nt show up on my mechanics eletrical volt meter (ie the fault) because its such a quick voltage drop ...but youll sure notice it through the lights etc. you need a manual type volt meter to pick it up or have a better scanner with a wave like meter on it. BY the way my 3rd alternator on on the car lol first one blew ,second one was new but did what you are saying it got worse so i had to argue like made to get the mechanic to change it ...which he did and it cured the problem later my battery died lol but it was due to die. theres a curciut on the alternator that controls the current but when it goes ( cant rember the name) it will do what you describe hard to find if you are not used to it ....mine took 3 mechanics with no ideas in cluding renault wich the clip couldnt pick up eitherut. but i did my homework and argued allot to get it fixed. Not cheap.

[jazzyrath]

Thanks Kornnut

We are on the 3rd alternator, 1st exploded in the middle of mountains miles from nowhere and the other 2 have been dodgy. Have had the car with mechanic and he took alternator off and sent it to specialist, who supposedly fixed it. Back on car 2 days later same again. He advised that when he hit it with a hammer it worked better. Taking it back to him this week, if not sorted he may be hit with a hammer.

[kornnut106]

lol .. well hope you get it sorted.

[davelowe]

You should have the aux belt tensioner tested. A/C models have an automatic tensioner that can be released by applying a 16mm socket anti-clockwise. Non A/C models have to be tensioned by hand/instrument. Too high a tension will destroy the alternator bearings.