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Just a quick query that someone might be able to help with, just popped out in the car, Skoda OCtavia and the battery light started to flash. The car hasn't done much for a couple of months and certainly hasn't had a decent run since christmas.
I took the car out for an hour and the light has gone out.
Is it likely to be the battery having a low charge, too many starts and not enough charging time. OR is there something else that may have caused the light to come on?
Couldn't be sure, as it could be much more electronically controlled these days, but with slightly less recent cars the battery light only comes on when your alt isn't charging. For it to flash (deliberately, not like a bad connection) I'd assume it's controlled by the ECU and possibly a warning of sorts instead. Short hops don't help.
battery flat/not charging is the usual meaning but you cancheck in your manual as to what the warninglight means
not very impressed by the battery light on VAGs, my Alternator died on me last WE causing the battery to run flat at 70mph on the A44 - lights and dash just switched off then engine cut out 100 yards later.
Battery / Alternator light never even flickered even though it must have taken 30 mins or more to flatten the battery on dipped headlights.
how many miles on the clock? flashing/flickering battery warning lights often mean the alternator/alternator bushes are on the way out. if it is see if it's got replaceable bushes before you pay someone to replace it, incidently they're not that difficult to replace so if you're reasonably competent you could change it yourself. i've replaced 3 alternators on my old cars.
it only has 173k on the clock... IT wasn't a flicker but a very definite flashing light, something in the electronics was telling me there is a problem, but the manual and the hayes guide don't seem to suggest what. I know the car hasn't done much for a couple of months, i believe that diesel engines do use a lot of charge to start. and the fact it went out after a while suggest to me that it is a flattish battery, but it could be a million other things as well.
most alternators will expire around 100-120k so if yours is at 173k it's doing well! but overdue. however if you've not used it for a while it is likely that the charge has slowly drained( even when not in use the current still goes through the system for alarms and clocks etc)so don't panic yet just make sure you take it for a spin regularly as cars do not take well to being left standing for long periods of time.
ps. take the battery out and charge it.