That is true Stan, though my patience is seriously being tested, at least my fingers aren't cold. "I got him boxed in like a turtle's pecker!".

Not sure I would read too much into the voltage readings obtained from the "hidden menu", from what I have read on here they tend to be not too accurate.
I doubt there is anything wrong with your new alternator but you are definitely suffering very low stored voltages on the car ie you battery is extremely suspect.
To be sure you need to have a discharge test carried out on the battery, any local garage will be able to do this for you including national tyre/battery outlets.
Until you get the battery tested I wouldn't panic.

Nah, at this stage of battery problems the alarm setting off will surely be caused by battery voltage dropping below a set point. I had this nocturnal nightmare when my FSR was draining the battery, only thing on mine, I could only stop it by physically disconnecting the battery.

Cheers nicedayforit, I am trying to stay optimistic about this. I don't know how old the battery is either, so the latest round of trauma may well have damaged it beyond use. "I got him boxed in like a turtle's pecker!".

Morning paneldamage, I left mine unlocked.

I just went out to it, opened the door and no courtesy lights came on, not even when I pressed the button. I tried to start it but nothing, battery totally flat!.
She may however, just be playing mind games with me!.

So the battery must be totally shot. Could this be my problem, or is the alternator at fault aswell?. "I got him boxed in like a turtle's pecker!".

It does seem that when the alternator fails on an FFRR and the car continues to be used until the battery is dischages and the car stops that it results in the battery, however old, being rendered u/s.
Get you battery tested then at least you're not guessing.

I had the same problems last year, first the battery red light which was indeed a knackered Alternator.
I replaced the Alternator and all seemed well for about a week, then I started to get all sorts of warning bongs-Transfail, Transfer issues, , Air susp etc, so off I went and had the battery tested, it was also knackered and would not hold charge for very long, giving a reading of 12.5v on constant revs.
Seems that the failing of the alternator had stressed the tired battery and killed it...
I replaced the battery with a new Bosch unit (as often recommended here on the Forum) and so far-no problems.

I reckon your battery is the problem. The FFRR does not like the slightest variation on voltages!

God luck

Andy

What would an overcharging alternator do to a battery?.

Would there be any immediate signs like smell or vigorous fizzing activity?. "I got him boxed in like a turtle's pecker!".

I had a duff regulator on an alternator (Bosch and easily replaceable) on a car years ago. I found out something was wrong when the battery got "cooked". First I thought it was the brakes (I had been driving quite spirited just before) but when I opened the hood (the smell was not coming from the brakes) I noticed the battery starting to melt at the top and the smell was clearly more plasticky then.

So yes, it could cook your battery if the full alternator voltage goes in for some time.

Sounds like you have to do both alternator and battery. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Well I just went and bought a new battery and the problem is still there!. Looks like the new alternator I put on is flumped!.
Anything else it might be other than that?. "I got him boxed in like a turtle's pecker!".

Do you have any auto electricians in the neighbourhood ?? To get the alternator and battery and wiring tested ??

Have you tested the voltage directly on the battery poles with a good quality voltmeter ? MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

i gather when you fitted the new battery you turned the steering wheel fully left then right..
if so and the problem is still there, switch on the range , let it idle and put a volt meter across the battery terminals, it should read 14.5 volts ...
if it doesn't then your alternator needs replacing..
if it does read 14.5 volts then your belt might be slipping.. ... - .- -.




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Hi Stan, I did do the left right reset with the steering wheel. I went straight around to the battery And I could smell a strong sulphur like smell, rotten eggs to be precise. This is with a new alternator and brand new battery. I didn't want to do any damage so I shut it off and disconnected the battery to be safe. "I got him boxed in like a turtle's pecker!".

that smell is battery acid boiling ...

another nail in the box re the alternator.. ... - .- -.




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Will I have damaged the battery now?. "I got him boxed in like a turtle's pecker!".