. However, the message keeps popping up intermittently. Have you any ideas? Is it worth sorting the problem or just living with it? I'm not averse to a new car but would like to carry on with this one if possible. - GN Dear GN, Either there's a fault with the sensor and circuit that tells the car whether the battery is charging or not, or you've got a problem with the alternator, which is what charges the battery while the engine is running. Given you've already experienced problems with the stop-start system before, I'd be inclined to think it's the latter. I'd imagine your garage has already checked that the alternator is charging properly, one of the first checks to carry out. But these Renault Scenic alternators can be a bit tricky, in that the brushes inside them – used to regulate the power output of the alternator – can get stuck, due to corrosion. This means that there are times when the alternator can function perfectly well, delivering the right charge to the battery, and other times when it doesn't. If it were tested in the former condition, your garage might not know there's a problem. I suggest the garage inspects the brushes inside the alternator in order to check that they aren't too worn. If they are very heavily worn, then they can be replaced so that you don't have to change the entire alternator. And if they aren't, the garage might be able to free them up. Worst-case scenario, you can pick up a new alternator for around £130, and the labour time to fit it shouldn't be excessive. So it's definitely worth sorting – and no, you don't need a new car.){kind=link}
As the Telegraph’s motoring expert, I weigh in on your car dilemmas to save you money and make your driving life easier
My 63-plate Renault Scenic’s stop-start failed, and not long afterwards it threw up a “battery not charging” message. My garage replaced the battery, which has solved the stop-start function (which I no longer use as I do not want to drain the new battery).
However, the message keeps popping up intermittently. Have you any ideas? Is it worth sorting the problem or just living with it? I’m not averse to a new car but would like to carry on with this one if possible.
– GN
Either there’s a fault with the sensor and circuit that tells the car whether the battery is charging or not, or you’ve got a problem with the alternator, which is what charges the battery while the engine is running.