We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Is my car dead? :(

On the way home tonight my car's power steering went, then the stop light and battery light came on. I forced it into a housing estate, turned it off and tried again. This time the oil light came on. I manage to get it home but on the way the temp gauge went up high.


Waiting for breakdown to come (will probably need towing).


It's only worth about £900 - low millage though - 11 years old.


Opinions please - any ideas whats caused it?
£2 Savers club £0/£150
1p a day £/
«1

Comments

  • worried_jim
    worried_jim Posts: 11,631 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    what car is it?
  • colin79666
    colin79666 Posts: 1,359 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    If it is a Fiat then probably a new battery will sort it. Common result of an old and failing battery is an array of dashboard lights and the electric power steering going.
  • jimjames
    jimjames Posts: 19,143 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    This time the oil light came on. I manage to get it home but on the way the temp gauge went up high.

    Is there any oil or coolant in it?
    Remember the saying: if it looks too good to be true it almost certainly is.
  • Renault scenic megane. Only had battery replaced 6 months ago.
    £2 Savers club £0/£150
    1p a day £/
  • Probably an electrical fault of some kind as it's a Renault. But that's fairly vague and not very helpful!
    Make £2018 in 2018 Challenge - Total to date £2,108
  • Ok, breakdown have been and gone. Alternator belt broken, he couldn't find anything else damaged. He said it shouldn't cost much, I hope its right.
    £2 Savers club £0/£150
    1p a day £/
  • TrickyWicky
    TrickyWicky Posts: 4,025 Forumite
    Probably is correct. Alternator not spinning = battery not charging.

    Sparks in the engine are provided by the battery so you're going to come unstuck with a dud alternator.
  • Probably is correct. Alternator not spinning = battery not charging.

    Sparks in the engine are provided by the battery so you're going to come unstuck with a dud alternator.





    Does this mean you think it is going to be more expensive?
    £2 Savers club £0/£150
    1p a day £/
  • tberry6686
    tberry6686 Posts: 1,135 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Should be less than £100 by a garage unless the belt is difficult to access, but normally a 10-15 min job
  • Does this mean you think it is going to be more expensive?

    No it means nothing of the sort. It means exactly what it says. Your alternator has stopped generating power for the cars systems and the car in the process drained the battery instead before finally giving up the ghost.

    I mentioned nothing about money! If you're asking however, a snapped belt should be easy to replace. If your car is the K7M engine that most meganes have then it should be less than an hour to fit it plus the cost of a belt.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 353.6K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.1K Spending & Discounts
  • 246.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.1K Life & Family
  • 260.7K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.