Astra 2005 1.7 cdti Mk5 charging problem

[sinky]

Hi my mates astra has a problem with the charging. Weve changed the alternator for a brand new Bosch as was original fit. with the same problem. With battery charged the engine starts and runs with the charging light out, then after about 10 mins the display blacks out and power steering dies. checked wireing all seems to be OK. No output from battery. Linked a wire from the battery to one of the small blue wires going to alternator and started to give out about 14 volts. Changed the ECU with one programed to the car and still the same problem. Is there any chance that the printed circuit on the speedo unit could be causing this problem? and ifso can you check and possibly repair it. Thanks sinky

[pecky]

If there is something draining the battery, it could be anything. Has he owned the car a long time and this just started happening, or is it a new car to him?

Has it been apart to have an LED conversion etc?

Never had the issues myself, but I have seen mention of drain with the radio/display or connectors not being on properly to the switches.

What makes you suspect the speedo?

[sinky]

Hes had the car for about 3 years. The battery is fully charged before starting the car. We have even checked it with a fresh fully charge battery. The car starts no problem and runs for about 10 mins not charging the battery. The power steering seems to be drawing all the power, flattening the batteries.

I googled the fault and got a mention of the inst cluster circuit film may be faulty. This was not spcificaly for an astra.

The car is factory standard. The only work carried out on it imediately prior to this happening was front shocks and springs replaced.

We are sending bthe ECU back to supplier to double check it.

Thanks for looking at our problem Sinky

[domtorredo]

Get somone to test all ground points can be shorting out somewhere had similar with voyager on motorway all instruments went out wasnt able to start it again was faulty ground, on mates vectra similar but all was ok just lag somwhere removed ground from baterry refited and runs ok for 4 months now

[sinky]

Update, the ECU didn't seem to be faulty, we had to connect a switched live to small blue wire to get it cgarging.

sinky

[Ian T]

Update, the ECU didn't seem to be faulty, we had to connect a switched live to small blue wire to get it cgarging.

sinky

Does the charging light work in the instrument cluster? Not sure if the Astra H is wired the same as earlier Vauxhalls, but the lamp itself is used to bias the regulator, hence if the lamp goes, there is no bias and no charging.

I'm sure you already know the lamp should be ON when the ignition is ON but engine OFF.

Ian.