Battery & Electrical Issues: Mokka Dies While Driving

Hey there! I have some experience working on cars and had a similar issue with my 2019 Vauxhall Crossland X diesel last year. The symptoms were exactly the same, weak starts, dimming lights, and electrical system going crazy. Turned out the generator was toast, just like you suspect. Took it to my trusted workshop in town, and they confirmed it after running diagnostics. Parts and labor came to around 960€ for me. Definitely worth fixing ASAP since it can leave you stranded. Which engine variant does your Mokka have? Might be able to share more specific details if it's similar to mine. Hope this helps!

Thanks for sharing your experience! Mine is starting to show those exact symptoms you described. My Mokka just hit 53664 KM and had its latest service about 2 months ago, but these issues started popping up recently. Your repair cost sounds about right for what I was expecting. Did you notice any warning lights on the dash before the generator completely failed? I'm trying to figure out if I should drive it to the shop or get it towed to avoid getting stranded somewhere. Also, did you go with an OEM part or aftermarket? I've heard mixed things about aftermarket generators for these models.

Hey again! Yeah, about those warning lights, in my case, I first noticed the battery warning light coming on intermittently, especially when idling. It wasn't constant at first, which is probably why I ignored it longer than I should have (not my brightest moment). I ended up learning the hard way and got stranded in a parking lot about 15km from home. Trust me, you don't want that hassle, I'd definitely recommend getting it towed to your workshop. Better safe than sorry! About the parts, I went with OEM for peace of mind. My mechanic actually recommended against aftermarket generators for these newer Vauxhalls because they've seen some compatibility issues. Yeah, it was a bit more expensive, but considering the electrical systems in these modern cars are so sensitive, I didn't want to risk it. Since you asked, my Crossland had around 62000 KM when the generator failed, so pretty similar mileage to yours. These things seem to go around the 50-70K mark from what I've heard from other Vauxhall owners. Just a heads up, make sure they check the battery too while they're at it. A failing generator can sometimes damage the battery, which is what happened in my case. Had to replace both, unfortunately.

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! You've convinced me, I'm definitely going to call a tow truck tomorrow morning and get it to the workshop. Not worth risking getting stranded like you did! Really appreciate the heads-up about the aftermarket parts too. I'll stick with OEM even if it costs a bit more. Makes sense what you said about the electrical systems being sensitive in these newer models. And good point about checking the battery, I'll make sure to mention that to the mechanic. The mileage similarity is interesting. Guess these generators just have a typical lifespan. At least now I know what to expect for future maintenance! Thanks again for all your help you've saved me a lot of potential headaches! Will update once I get it sorted.