Is my battery fcuked or alternator?

I was at a pay and play last weekend. After having lunch it wouldn't start, the battery was soaked and it kept shorting out I think. I dried the terminals and made sure connections was secure and it finally started on 5th attempt. Could this shorting out knacker the battery?

The rest of afternoon and on way home the battery hasn't been charging and the no charge light on the dash is on. I'd normally say the alternator but the fact the battery got soaked and I think shorted out makes me think otherwise. Plus the alternator was new less than 6 months ago.

I also tried starting her yesterday and it clicked again repeatedly. I did get a few cranks from the battery but then had to put jump pack on to get it going but it didn't work first time, kept clicking like it was shorting out or something, then would be completely dead like battery wasn't even connected so I had to fiddle with terminals. I don't think it is the starter as that is less than 6 months old as well.

I've cleaned the back of the alternator (was a bit of mud and grass on the back of it) and tried as best as poss to wire brush the earth point on gearbox and engine.

What do people reckon, battery or alternator? Or dare I say it both?

Should also say I put my multimeter across the battery and only getting 10 - 11v at idle but was fluctuating. Revving did steady it at about 11.4v. Lights on dropped this by about 0.2v and no amount of revving would bring the volts up.

No charge light would point towards the alternator mate

Yep should be around 14.5v

Bloody hell 2 new alternators in 6 months!! Cheers for the replies.

Go wading much???

Yes it was very wet at p+p last weekend. Gonna spray some wd40 on the new one before going out, just read that helps.
I had noticed the no charge light coming on when I went through a few deep puddles a couple of weeks before...but went off half a mile later
How else can you stop them failing?

Intermittent no charge light is the belt slipping

Might just be the voltage regulator pack on the alternator thats packed in - check out the model/part number on your alternator as you can replace em with new from ebay

Cool. I will do cheers.

Just make sure you buy the right one for your alternator!!!

It was part STC234 from bearmach that I bought. But I guess it could be any manufacturer. Can't be arsed taking it off now!

Is there an easy way to tell if it is the voltage regulator thats at fault?

If your no charge light is lit then the alternator isn't charging your battery - as said before the voltage should rise to around 14.5v . If its a new alternator then the slip rings and bushes should be fine so it points to the voltage regulator

To test it properly you will need to take it to an auto spark so he can test it all

Ok cheers for your help. May as well start with the regulator can always sell it on / keep spare if I wind up needing a whole new alternator

DEFENDER90-DAZ said:

If your no charge light is lit then the alternator isn't charging your battery - as said before the voltage should rise to around 14.5v . If its a new alternator then the slip rings and bushes should be fine so it points to the voltage regulator

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Just thought I would update this. It was the voltage reg. One of the brushes looked like it had snapped off! Other was very worn. Alt was brand new 6 months ago and I'd be surprised if I have covered 2k miles in that time. So strange for it to go so quickly.