Flickering headlights and dashboard

[Peter_st16]

Hi All

Recently my 2011 Verso 2.0 diesel started having issues. When driving the headlights flicker, so does the dashboard back light and cabin light if I put it on. Also, the power steering goes intermittently for about a second every now and again - you just feeling it on the steering wheel. Battery voltage with engine off is 12.4V, when idling 12.8V,and at 2000RPM is 13.3V.

Do you think it's the voltage regulator or the Battery? 

[APS]

I'm guessing duff regulator or worn brushes, but could be poor earth or something completely different. A bad Battery would just not hold charge and make starting the car sluggish. 

[Bernard Foy]

Check for and clean and tighten Battery connections. Plus the Battery could be coming to the end of life. Have your Battery checked in your local auto shop.

[Peter_st16]

I'm now thinking - is the power steering pump not driven directly from the aux belt? In such case it'd be more the case of the power steering pump loading the alternator intermittently and causing what I'm experiencing. What do you think? 

[APS]

3 hours ago, Peter_st16 said:

I'm now thinking - is the power steering pump not driven directly from the aux belt? In such case it'd be more the case of the power steering pump loading the alternator intermittently and causing what I'm experiencing. What do you think? 

As far as I know, your car has electric power steering. So, no hydraulic pump. The power steering will draw some current of course when you turn the steering but not enough to cause problems under normal conditions. Your power steering problems are more likely symptoms rather than causes of the problem. How many miles has the car done? My money's on replacing the alternator.

[Peter_st16]

It's done around 90k. 

[ClaireRSH]

I had this problem with my 2012 Verso after 75k miles and it was the alternator intermittently losing charge. 

[Peter_st16]

So... I've replaced the alternator and that seemed to have improved things but some flickering was still there (power steering is now OK). Yesterday, after driving 100 miles I did a start-off-start sequence and the car wouldn't start. I replaced the Battery now as the previous one was really old - but the flickering is still there and the voltage at Battery terminal is well under 13.2V. Checked with the other car - that one was giving 14.2V. 

Am I right in thinking that voltage regulator is integrated with the alternator? If so, what else is there to go wrong?! 

[Peter_st16]

Sorry, well under 14V; 13.2V to be precise. 

[Peter_st16]

Checked this morning using ODB3 reader - 14.2V when cold. By the time I reached work (10min) it was down and oscillating between 11.2 and 13.2V.

[Juppe]

Hi,

Peter, where you able to solve this?

I do have similiar problem with my 2010 2.0 D4D.

My problem happens only when light switch is on AUTO mode.

Verso works fine for while and then car voltages start to vary 12.00 - max 13 on idle also engine rpm vary.
This also affects all lights varying according to voltage.

When i rev it around 1500rmp voltage is 13.50v

I have changed charger/alternator which also has voltage regulator in it. Battery also checked.

When i toggle lights switch from AUTO to "manual" voltage stabilize on 14v on any engine rpm.

 

I noticed also that when problem is there restarting car fixes it for while.

 

I will manage with light switch AUTO mode but i would prefer fixing this.

My Verso has 380 000 km in it. So it starting to show :D