Freestyle Charging Problems

Whoa, sounds familiar! I had almost the exact same thing happen with my old Opel Corsa a few years back. Reduced power, flickering lights – it was like driving a Christmas tree gone wrong! For me, the culprit was indeed the alternator. But here's the thing: did you check the voltage at the battery with the engine running? It should be somewhere around 14 volts. If it's significantly lower, or all over the place, that really points to the generator being the issue. Also, does the engine misfire, or hesitate, particularly under load? This can sometimes be related as well, as the ignition system isn't getting enough juice.

Thanks for the quick reply! I did a quick voltage check, and it was fluctuating wildly, definitely not a steady 14V. The engine does stumble a bit sometimes, especially when I turn on the AC or headlights. You mentioned the alternator being the culprit in your case - did you try any other troubleshooting steps before replacing it, or was it pretty obvious once you saw those symptoms?

Okay, fluctuating voltage and engine stumbling... that sounds more and more like the alternator to me. Honestly, after checking the voltage regulator and confirming the readings, I didn't mess around too much. I am just a car novice and went straight to my trusted mechanic. It's a bit like a leaky faucet – you can try tightening things, but sometimes you just need to replace the whole unit. Given your symptoms and the voltage readings, I would say it's time to visit a workshop, maybe they can confirm the diagnosis before the replacement.

Took it to the shop, and you nailed it! Defective generator was the culprit. New generator and serpentine belt installed, total cost 960€. Runs like a champ now! Thanks for sharing your experience; it gave me the confidence to focus on the charging system. Really appreciate the help!