The Mrs went out to her car yesterday morning after driving it on friday with no problems and it was completely dead - not even enough power in the battery to operate the central locking.
Took the battery to local carspares shop and asked them to test it, but it was so dead they couldnt get a reading off it.
Replaced battery, car fired up fine and thought nothing of it.
Get a call yesterday afternoon after she'd been driving it around most of the day with no probs - battery light on, and no PAS.
Car recovered home by green flag. Quick internet search would seem to confirm the alternator has had it as it sends a signal to the PAS electric motor which when the alternator stops working cuts the power to the motor - hence no PAS as well as no charge to the battery.
Looks like an absolute pig to get at buried right down the front of the engine under the A/C compressor - can barely see it let alone get a spanner on it and its got one of those ribbed belts with about 70 different pulleys & tensioners
Any tips to get at it and replace it ?
Guessing its got to come out from underneath ?
Any special tools needed to re-tension the belt ?
New alternators seem to start from about £100 for a questionable brand from ECP - can these things not be refurbed/re-brushed ?
Any help gratefully appreciated
