VW Caravelle TDi battery light

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Fri 4 Jul 2003 12:49
VW Caravelle TDi battery light - mark999
sometimes after starting up the battery light on my 7 month old caravelle glows very faintly for about a minute (even when driving).
I've had the car for a month and during that time have had a towbar fitted. Unfortunately, as the wife uses it most of the time I do not know if the problem was there before fitting.

Wheh I took it in to the dealer they could not fault it as the light was not on ehen they checked it.

Should I be worried about this as Im touring Scotland in a couple of weeks?
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Fri 4 Jul 2003 13:01
VW Caravelle TDi battery light - jc
Had a similar problem on an Escort-but it never let me down-was cured by remaking the earth connection on the alternator.
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Fri 4 Jul 2003 16:26
VW Caravelle TDi battery light - bertj
Your VW dealer should have plugged the car into their diagnostic equipment whether the light was on or not. This will show if there is, or has been, an electrical fault. It could be a faulty alternator. Unfortunately modern vehicles are so complex I doubt whether it will be something as simple as a faulty earth. Insist that that the dealer checks it and don't sow the seeds of doubt in their minds over the towbar wiring. They will probably look for any excuse to blame someone else. I speak from years of experience with less than honest VW dealers!
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Sat 5 Jul 2003 17:25
VW Caravelle TDi battery light - jc
The Escort one was certainly a faulty earth,sufficient number of complaints for Ford to offer a servce fix.
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Sat 5 Jul 2003 17:41
VW Caravelle TDi battery light - jud
When i had a towbar fitted the auto electrician took power from the alternator output cable, from this a short lead went to a fuse. To eliminate the towbar as a possible cause,remove the fuse (assuming you are not towing at the time)
As mentioned check for bad earth's, and don't overlook the obvious, a slipping alternator belt.
You have not mentioned any starting problems so i suspect the battery is being charged ok.
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Sun 6 Jul 2003 07:42
VW Caravelle TDi battery light - mark999
Thanks for your replies
I'll check the belt ant the earths tonight. Starting is fine so as you mention the charging seems to be ok. Ive borrowed a gunsons battery and alternator tester.I'll give it a check over with that and leave it in the car for when the light comes on again.
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Sun 6 Jul 2003 12:47
VW Caravelle TDi battery light - bertj
VW tdi engines do not have a separate alternator belt. They use a ribbed 'snake' belt which drives the alternator, air con, etc. It is automatically tensioned and, unless something awful has happened, it is always at the correct tension. When checking with the engine running WATCH YOUR FINGERS!!
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