Major problem - stop light lit, burning etc please help!

[Steve_H]

This evening I stopped to get petrol. When I drove away there was a burning smell ( electrical ) I had unusally loud feedback from my amplifier and there was a funny noise from the engine. I stopped the car and looked under the bonnet but couldn't see anything wrong. I started the engine and the battery and stop light came on and then occassionally flashed, but now they have stayed on. I drove carefully to a nearby Renault Specialist. They were closing up for a day, they could smell the smell, looked under the bonnet, disconnected the negative and rubbed it on the terminal and it sparked from that they said it looked like there were no short circuits. Then they just said that I probably need a new alternator and it would probably cost me over £300! I have a Renault Clio 2.0l 172 it is 3.5 years old! Please help, do you think it is the alternator like they say or a short circuit or something else? What should I do now to make sure I'm not getting conned? Thanks

 

[Lagerlout]

Alternator does sound feasible.

 

[STRAWBERRY BUBBLE]

I can't believe an alternator costs £300 surely that mist be labour on top of that?? If so do it yourself hun get a nearly new alternator and do it yourself I know I would certainly have a go... Hope you get it all sorted though,.

 

[edde]

Ring round you should be bale to get it done cheaper or just buy the bits and DIY if you want.

 

[Steve_H]

I started the car yesterday morning at @7:25am and the problem was still there. A friend told me to run the engine and check whether the belt was turning/slipping so later that morning I went back to try that, but this time the car started and was running fine without any warning lights and it's been ok since.

The alternator is charging fine and the fan belt looks in good nick.

A guy at work ( with a Renault Safrane ) told me he had the same problem but in his case the starter motor wasn't disengaging. Do you think this is feasible? Where in the engine bay is the starter motor is it possible to reach it?

At the moment I'm obviously hoping the problem won't come back!