Last night I went to a friend's house about 20 miles away when I got there I noticed that the headlamps didn't seem as bright as normal.
Since it was a diesel escort van, I knew that the battery wasn't needed to run the engine but a fault would affect all the other systems.
I stopped the engine and tried to restart it but the battery was as flat as a pancake. Since I didn't have tools (invitation to have the van broken into) and my friend is a non-driver is naturally didn't have a batt charger decided to wait until morning before worrying about it (staying over after a few beers). But my initial diagnosis was that the alternator had gone bad and wasn't outputting enough amperage (but enough to turn off dash light)
In morning called recovery firm, who then sent subcontracted local firms low loader an hour later. After describing fault I watched him measure the battery voltage (10v) then he went on the check the oil (just under the min mark) the water and the brake fluid (whilst I'm thinking I've got a flat battery, the fluids have nothing to do with that).
Then he tries one of those small booster packs with the small rechargeable battery in them. He connects it up and tells me to try the ignition straight away - nothing happens.
Plan B: heavier jump leads from recovery truck are connected up, try straight away -nothing
Plan C: heavy leads and booster pack together, try straight away -nothing.
I suggest that we wait a few minutes to transfer a little charge into my batt as I know the immobiliser (which also controls the starter motor) is very intolerant of a low battery voltage.
He then gives me the "I'm the mechanic, you know nothing" look
He the announces that the engine block has seized and wants to take it back to his firms garage for investigation and repair. I argue that the cost of that would be more that the vehicle is worth and since my breakdown recovery is a return to home policy could he take me there where I will rebuild the engine my self.
Reluctantly I am eventually recovered to my home address.
I put the batt on rapid 6 amp charge straight away and busy my self for the next hour, then try to start the engine, fires on first try and using a clamp meter I find that the alternator is only outputting 3 amps.
And hour and forty pounds later I have a reconditioned alternator putting 20 amps at idle into the batt from the "seized" engine.
Has any one else encountered this.