Code 48

[tazz666]

the other day my ecu light came on,so i did the paper clip test and i got code 48,low voltage so this is just to put my mind at rest
i checked my battery and it was getting12.5 volts without the engine running, i started the car and checked again,and i was getting 13.84 volts but when i swtched all the electrics on ie headlights all the heaters,bum,rear window, and the heater blower the volts dropped down to just over 12volts,
i am pressuming it is my alternator that is starting to fail

[Fraz]

volts dropped but did you just have the engine ticking over or have it about 1200 rpms ??

[tazz666]

just ticking over fraz,i did blip the throttle and the volts dropped lower

[Fraz]

the alternator wont be charging at tick over especially with everything on, you need to keep the revs about 1200 while your doing that and see what the reading is

[tazz666]

i will do that tomorrow,cheers mate

[Calibra_Mike]

check the wires going to the alternator are all ok, i had the same with my 8valver and thought it was the alternator, turned out it was the earth wire had broken inside the insulation, new wire and was all working again... just something to keep in mind...

[Fraz]

wont be that as the 8V has the alternator mounted with rubber spacers on the mount so has a separate earth strap to it, the V6 is earthed through the mounts