Bsi Problem Again ?

[dgeezer]

Further to my original thread in this forum 'Bsi Replacement' .....

 

Two years on and last week I jumped in the car and discovered the instrument cluster lights, indicators, rear defrost, and blower were not functioning. Oh oh !! I thought, here we go again ... The running lights, radio, hazard warning switch and airbag dash light seemed to work OK. Drove back from work that day and part way home I heard a click, accompanied by a brief flash of the dash lights, and everything was back to normal for the rest of the journey. Shut the engine down on arrival at home but, trying an immediate restart (which the car performs without apparent issue), found the problem was back.

 

Took it to the local dealer today for a diagnostic check. Have been advised I need a new alternator (currently has a re-con unit fitted 2 years previously when I had the BSI replaced). Apparently, it is only giving out 10.4V with the engine running against an ideal 14+V.

 

Questions I would appreciate help with :

 

(a) if the alternator is faulty why is it not a simple case of the battery light illuminating to highlight this ? (:rolleyes: why would a low voltage from the alternator trigger loss of said instruments ? © could it be something else causing the problem (BSI included) ?

 

When I had very similar problems previously, the dealer recommended a new alternator but went on to replace the dash cluster, BSI and battery aswell (see previous thread), so I am wary that the same might happen here. I propose to challenge the dealer's diagnostic finding and get a sensible explanation as to why the car responds to a faulty alternator in this peculiar way. Given no further findings or potential solutions I will probably change the alternator and see of it solves the problem.

 

Any advice greatly appreciated.