Electrical problems for my new Calibra

[Martyn77]

I've just bought a 2.0 8v Calibra of a friend and it has a slight electrical issue, when turning the ignition off the battery light stays on. They were told this was the alternator but i think it's an earth problem. She had bought a new battery for the car about a month ago so it's not a battery issue, i have since been told that the engine management light is coming on aswell so any info would be much appreciated, cheers, Martyn.

[BazV6er]

martyn ,

i had a diode burn out in a alternator in a previous calibra 16v and that made the engine management light come on and it did need a new alternator in the end.Have you tested how many volts its giving you ?

[Markp]

Check and clean all of the main earth's including the alternator one. Should that fail then run the paper clip test and see what reading your getting. By this stage you've not spent any money so if you need a new alternator it won't hurt as much. Maybe borrow an alt from a friend and test that?

[Martyn77]

Thanks guy's, i've not picked up the car yet as i knew it had an electrical problem but i'm not going to complain as i'm getting it for £150 with 6 months MoT and Taxed til the end of next month. I'll probably just pick up a re-con alt and check all the earths when i get up to the car.

[Phantom]

if the batt light is on after you turn the ignition off it's a sure sign the alternator needs replacing I'm guessing it flattens the new battery over night too

[Martyn77]

Cheers guy's your input is much appreciated, i've priced up some re-con altenators and hopefully i'll have the car on the road in the next week or two.
Thanks, Martyn.

[VII CKS]

Definately sounds like the alternator to me too, you can get a reconditioned one as you are looking for and if you get one in Halfords if there is one up near you, you can trade your old one in for £25 of the price of the reconditioned one.

[Martyn77]

Thanks i'll get onto them asap