[Mgs] alternator question

[Paul Hunt]

If the alternator light came on first and the engine died as it did so then 
that implies the ignition system has lost voltage from the ignition switch. 
Could be a dodgy connection in a brown to the switch, or in the white from 
the switch, or inside the switch itself.  The other symptoms imply an 
intermittent connection somewhere also.

It won't be the alternator itself, the engine should continue to run on the 
battery alone, even though the warning light may be on.

It's going to be tricky to diagnose until it become permanent, but if you 
have a timing light and have it connected when this happens if the flashes 
stop while the engine is still spinning it is ignition, if it keeps flashing 
until the engine stops rotating it is fuel.  Also look at the tach.  If that 
drops instantly while then engine is still rotating that also says ignition, 
if it only gradually drops as the engine spins down it is fuel.

PaulH.


----- Original Message ----- 
> ... as I was waiting at a red light waiting for the
> light to change to green, the engine was just purring away then suddenly 
> the
> alternator light came on to a bright amber on the dash,  then the engine 
> died,