Early V belt flashing light

I was in the middle of 2 day trip this week, when the vBelt indicator light came on. I have done 8120 miles- I know it should really last 16000- anyone had a belt come on this early? It was dusty inside and there is more than 1 mm slack, plus signs of belt catching on the cover, so definitely need replacing. Just interested if anyone else had this happen only halfway through expected belt life...

Sometimes the V-light will come on depending on your rpm and speed. I know when I had the J Costa on the light would come on when I was going fast up steep hills. It is programmed to come on every 16,000 miles to remind you to change your belt but other times it depends on the rpm/mph ratio. But if Terry (bigbird) reads this he can explain it better.

Right, ta... It came on and stayed on irrespective of hills or speed...

If the light comes on it will stay on until you reset it. Did you measure the belt? It's not uncommon for the belt to hit the top of the cover. I'm not sure what you mean by "there is more than 1 mm slack". I've heard of belts last over 16,000 but I've not heard of one breaking early with a belt that was only a few years old.

Well, according to book there should be NLT than 1mm play- there is more like 10+mm ? Belt not broke, just light came on...

paulc
i recently had the same problem with only 4000 miles on the clock and the dealer has agreed to fit a new belt under warranty, it goes in tomorrow after a delay in the new belt arriving.