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MG MGF Technical - Battery and SRS Warning Lights advice needed

Having just spent the afternoon (well an hour or so) looking through the archives, and reading the same advice repeated a number of times. I am still missing something critical, so here goes...

I have just replaced my driver's side seatbelt restrainer, and associated pretensioner. All was fine. Only the SRS warning light now comes on. So I figured I would need to check the wiring under the seat. And the archive confirms this.

Only problem is that my battery warning light has now come on (might have been on for a while, but I am just the wrong height to see it). The archives don't seem to make mention of that.

So, is it possible that I have two co-incidental problems, or is it likely that one has caused the other.

The car starts reliably even though the battery warning light is on, but then if it is on because the battery is not charging
then perhaps I am just getting by with left-over charge.

Any thoughts?

d.
d.

Okay, so it's bad show to follow up to you own post, but...

Warning lights were not connected. The newly purchased seatbelt retainer had a dodgy circuit, and I initially solved the warning light problem by connecting the old one and leaving it under the seat. So I had a working airbag, but no pretensioner. Good for a start.

Then...

I decided to fix the seatbelt retainer. Wish I had done that in the first place. Turns out that despite advice that it would be fruitless to try and fix it, it was really easy to take it apart, and reassemble. How about that?

Anyway...

The battery warning light was co-incidental, and appears to be due to a busted alternator. Only I am finding it difficult to source one. Happy to hear any suggestions.

And how many types are there, and how do they differ? Victoria at MGF Centre say that my VVC requires a different one from a standard 1.8 F. The Bosch part catalogue and a local parts supplier disgaree. Dieter's web site suggests I believe the later, but maybe I have picked it up wrong.

Until the next time I answer my own post...

d.
d.

LOL, at least you found the answer to one problem!
Tony

Hi d.

Fit like min?

Check this out.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rover-100-214-216-218-414-416-418-MGF-Alternator-NEW_W0QQitemZ4565868142QQcategoryZ10414QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Looks like a fairly standard piece of kit.

Sam
Sam Murray

The VVC IIRC has a different size battery, which arguably should be paired with a appropriate output alternator.
Mike Hankin

Thanks Sam,

Actually I saw that, but when I went to call the number, I got a "this number if out of service" message. Not very inspiring.

d.
d.

I thought the battery was the same 1.8/VVC. These people think so as well and deliver -

http://www.etyres.co.uk/uk-car-batteries/searchresults?vehicleMakeId=43&vehicleModelId=1531&vehicleTrimId=5867
John Ponting

IMO non-EPAS equipped 1.8i's may have a smaller battery...
I don't see why 1.8i and VVC should have different alternator and battery.
Fabrice

After talking with garage and supplier, it seems that the alternators are essentially the same, but have different part numbers. So I have a car again.

Hurrah!

d.
d.

>After talking with garage and supplier, it seems that the alternators are essentially the same

Noticed and put as another evidence to the files.

Thank You for getting back with what you got told and the *result*.

Cheers
Dieter
PS. different batteries had been installed to early MGF only, whyever.
Not worth to to p*ss around with smaller. (IMO)
Dieter

Dieter, did I also let you know that I am running a 1.1kW starter motor in my VVC with no problems whatsoever (even though a 1.4kW is recommended)?

This was discussed previously.

I do not have a part number, but it is a Bosch 1.1kW for a standard 1.8 F.

d.
d.

I remember.

Cheers
Dieter
Dieter

This thread was discussed between 21/08/2005 and 25/08/2005

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