Mk1 Charge & Heat light

by **Rebelbloke** » Sun, 13 Jan 2013 6:04 +0000

Hey folks,

Hoping someone can help with the above. Driving home today and noticed the Charge/ heat light had come on in the dash. Had noticed earlier that the CD player was switching on and off but figured it was just a loose connection. All the dash lights started to dim, slow wipers, elec windows etc.

Had a quick look online and seems it could be the alternator not charging the battery correctly? The battery is not that old, maybe 2 years.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

by **leamyj** » Sun, 13 Jan 2013 6:51 +0000

More than likely the alternator...check the tension on the belt. Also check for signs of wear/ mis-alignment etc. The electrics will shut down different areas depending on the current available, don't go night driving in the meantime if you can help it as you may lose your lights. There's plenty of online help on how to adjust the tension of your belt.

John

by **Rebelbloke** » Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:26 +0000

Thanks John, appreciate the feedback. Looks like Ill be ringing the mechanic tomorrow anyway. Checked the belt and it seems tight enough but there was a big pool of radiator fluid under car when I went out to check it. It never rains but it pours eh?

by **MX5Spares** » Mon, 14 Jan 2013 8:03 +0000

Sounds like the alternator is not charging fully. Eventually battery will go flat so get it checked.we havr alternator if you need it but there are 2 types. And is it v belt or multiribbed belt. Have rad also but it may be the waterpump . My number is 086 8226506 if you need help.

by **MX5Spares** » Mon, 14 Jan 2013 8:10 +0000

Just thinking there 'it might be that the waterpump was seizing up ,causing the fanbelt the stop etc so might not be thr actual alternator thus water everywhere. Where u living ?

by **Rebelbloke** » Mon, 14 Jan 2013 5:22 +0000

Cheers for the input. Brought it to my mechanic today anyway, the water pump is only 2 years old so it should be fine. Hoping it won't be anything too serious/ costly to repair. Do you have alternators for sale?

by **MX5Spares** » Mon, 14 Jan 2013 6:12 +0000

Ah yes we have all mx5 parts

by **Rebelbloke** » Tue, 15 Jan 2013 6:24 +0000

How much are the alternators? Are they rebuilt or new?

Seems the coolant leak is coming from the thermostat housing, mechanic is quoting €150 from Mazda. Pic is attached here.

Any experience with fixing these? I see thermostat housing parts on mx5 parts for £60 but not sure if they are the same.

by **Steve** » Tue, 15 Jan 2013 6:56 +0000

ah, that's the water pump inlet pipe. They can rust out. Is it that bad? Looks just like surface stuff on it?

by **rhysmate** » Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:23 +0000

150?? is he flying to japan to get it himself? changing an alternator and thermostat housing is easy man you can do it yourself.. where do you live? if its in cork ill do it for the price of the petrol to get to you

and i have a 1.6 engine for parts here and it has a thermostat housing on it. and you could get your alternator refurbed for cheap too..

by **leamyj** » Thu, 17 Jan 2013 2:33 +0000

rhysmate wrote:150?? is he flying to japan to get it himself?

Probably

i'm not surprised at the Mazda Ireland's ( or whatever they're called now) prices..we've been through all this before..if you're gonna go to a main mazda dealer for your parts then brace yourself for a good rogering!! :shock:

John

by **Rebelbloke** » Thu, 17 Jan 2013 4:16 +0000

Yeah it was a Mazda dealer quote he was getting it from. I'm not going to take it at that price anyway. He said he can clean it up and seal it which should fix it.

I wish I could fix it myself! Might need a few lessons first though! Not sure what the state of the alternator is yet, was waiting to see if I could get the inlet pipe housing first. Prices seem to vary online for alternators - anywhere from 75£ to 200£. Don't suppose anyone here has a spare one to sell?

Cheers for the offer Rhysmate but I'm in Dublin unfortunately.

by **rhysmate** » Thu, 17 Jan 2013 5:27 +0000

Autocheck does haha!! and he's in Dublin

by **Rebelbloke** » Thu, 17 Jan 2013 5:40 +0000

D'oh... Yes forgot that... Will see what the word is on the alternator tomorrow.

by **MX5Spares** » Thu, 17 Jan 2013 6:15 +0000

I am sure we have that housing also if you want to call me 086 8226506.Robert