Practically Classics Forum

Hi all, my girlfriends Peugeot 206 dashboard display is pulsing when the engine is running, I'm guessing that the voltage regulator in the alternator is on its way out. The belt is tight and the battery has been tested and is fine. Any other suggestions as to what might be causing this as a new alternator is over £150

Cheers

Ian

Is it just the dash lights or all the electrical circuits? have you put a multi-meter across the battery when the engine is running to see if the voltage is fluctuating?
I have minimal experience with a pug 206 but if there is a voltage regulator for the dash itself it could be faulty, it could also be a coil in the alternator itself has failed.
www.breakersyard.com and get a good used alternator if you aren't keen on spending a significant sum on the pug.

I had that on a Rover, you could see the headlights doing the same, however, it would also randomly flatten the battery too, as the diode pack broke down and tried to run the alternator as a motor in effect, have a close listen to it with everything switched off and see if it's humming very quietly.

Oh dear. Ian, I'm sorry to say it and there's no easy way of breaking this to you but the car was built by a French manufacturer, QED.

Sadly, I too would suspect the alternator but wouldn't take it to bits and start ordering parts for it before checking all of those pesky printed circuits and earth connections behind the dash.

Check out your earth return circuit for the dash. If the connection becomes loose, or heavily corroded, vibration from the engine can cause pulsing.

Pavel

[I own a Pug 505, which is better than some of the Lucas equipped rubbish I've owned in the past]

Turned out to be the alternator, replaced it with a brand new item and issue resolved, then the other half went and sold it

It could be worse, at least you got the satisfaction of finding the problem.
Many years ago I was dating a young lady with a renault clio. It blew it's radiator so I replaced it one weekend along with a service and fitting new discs and pads. I got dumped 2 days later. She only wanted me for my spanners

hahaha, i used to call my ex wife spanner cos when I looked at her my nuts tightened

get your coat!