battery died while car still running.

[diddy1204]

Hi my 1996 bongo was running fine, then speedo started to flicker and lights went dim, I went into a shop and left it running with partner in, when came back lights were nearly off and engine about to stop, so turned off won't plague now, car has two batteries, both quite new one only a week old, thinking alternater? Any help would be most helpfull.

[wonkanoby]

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=58438

alternator usually means charge and sediment light come on

is it a winter bongo with 2 starter batteries

[diddy1204]

Yes its a van with two starter batteries.

[Simon Jones]

Hi welcome to the forum. I'm guessing you have a diesel engine, as they will continue to run with a practically dead battery. Yes, from the description it does sound like a dodgy alternator although that is is usually accompanied by the charge and sediment lights glowing on the dashboard. Have you got a multimeter to check what voltage you're getting at the starter battery?

[Rhod]

alternator usually means charge and sediment light come on

Possibly this isn't always the case (I'm no expert!).
Coming home at night a few years ago, I sudenly noticed that my voltmeter was consistently reading under 12V. I don't think that the alternator had completely died at this point, but it certainly wasn't charging properly - and I replaced it. The charge/sediment lights didn't come on in my case, but that may have been because the alternator was still producing some degree of power.

Rhod

[diddy1204]

I don't have a meter myself but know a man that does so will check tomorrow.