S40 (New) Engine 2.0D : Power System Service Urgent, and brakes!

[chrisjcoe]

Originally Posted by 138gat

HI
Mine did exactly the same last November ( 2.0D ) lost all electrics while driving including power steering and brakes, pulled into a layby and turned it off then it wouldn't do anything. Towed home with RAC and looked on here for advice. Changed alternator and it's been fine since. Got the alternator from a independant auto electrician matching exactly what was on car. £185 and no exchange, easy fit for a reasonably confident diy mechanic.

Thanks, further indication that it's the alternator!

What makes me angry though is that I took it to the garage saying the alternator was shot, I'm not sure they even looked at it! Is there any way to tell if the alternator is at fault without the ability to get the engine running? I'm aware that you can check the battery charge when the engine is on and compare to off to see if any charge is getting through, and would have hoped the garage would have done this instead of obsessing over a f'ing vacuum pump.

Edit - sorry, just realised this is another thread about the error warning, and I opened a newer thread about the battery.

[Superscaff75]

Hello people , I have the exact same problem and I thought it might be alternator , Havnt checked yet its all only just happened , warning lights on dash saying power system service urgent , Then now went to start car Totally Dead not a single ouce of power to power even an led .

2 weeks ago I got Alarm System Service Urgent message Then car wouldnt start after 2 hrs AA man managed to jump start it , So I checked battery my car is 2010 The battery been on since new the test showed it was average at best yet it had just finished a 1 hour journey back home , Bought new battery and fitted that ( Task n a Half just changing battery ) Car been ok since , However last night and this morning got the power system service urgent message , Another thing I should mention we have replaced Headlight bulds 3 times each headlight in past 8 month , Luckily we bought them from Halfords who had a buy one get one free deal and their bulbs guarenteed for 12 month so its costing Halfords a few quid as they retail around £28 each bulb . We also have developed a brake problem basically when you brake it feels like near side front wheel is gonna fall off .

Back to what I thinking about the Problem , due to the bulb problem plus the power system message , I thought Alternator Needs checking , Googled it Arrived here ( did two weeks ago but didnt register ) seen this post after going to car and it being dead . Im now wondering if the brake thing might be partly this too after reading above . as there is nothing wrong as far as i can tell with front wheel, brake pads , disc or calipers .

I will post up once problem resolved .

[JungleBurgler]

just had this 'power system service urgent' message appear with the red triangle warning light this morning on way to work.

Have heard whirling sound come from engine in past 4 or 5 weeks.

only had it serviced last week at indo garage

Stuck multi meter on battery, 12.8v while off. goes up to 14v when car running and revved.

have ordered car diagnostics kit online. should arrive on Monday.

Going to chance driving the half hour home this evening and park her up until i can get diagnostics kit on it and see if i can find a specific code...