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Topic: STRANGE!!! (Read 754 times) |
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scorpi
Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 12
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STRANGE!!!
« on: May 13th, 2004, 10:58am » |
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Hi , guys
Got a question!
A few weeks aggo someone crashed into the driversside of my car.
When it was fixed someone told me they let the door open for a while.
So you can guess ....almost a flat battery.
Then started it up and left her running.
The needles went wild when they did this.
Got her back soon and all was good and fab.
The strange thing is that before the crash everything worked ,but now after a few weeks ,my needles went wild.
Could it be that they simply replaced the old battery with a new one but not the correct one.
Or if it's the alternator ,how and where do i measure
I'm a newbe so be gentle
Many thanks,
Scorpi
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Dazzer0016
Full Member
1997 Silver Saloon Bradford W Yorks
 
Posts: 186
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #1 on: May 13th, 2004, 11:23am » |
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hi
usually a new strong battery will do the trick, if it was replaced with a new or old battery may be underpowered or faulty take it back to whoever did the work , ask them to look at it for you
i paid about £60-£70 for a new battery 12 months ago (needles jumping around) no probs since
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Scorpio owner for five years until now
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scorpi
Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 12
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #2 on: May 13th, 2004, 12:59pm » |
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Thanks for the reply Dazzer, but how do i know i'snt the alternator?
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craig
Guest
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99% sure it is the battery,you can check the output of the alternator dy using a multi-meter,or an easier way is to use the re-set button on the speedo,keep it pressed in for a few seconds and it runs through a little diagnostic check,you will see the output near the very end of that cycle,just keep pressing the button...
HTH
craig..
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Oliver
Full Member
1998 24v Cosworth Estate
Posts: 201
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #4 on: May 13th, 2004, 4:09pm » |
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Leaving the doors open should not flatten the battery. After about 20 minutes they should switch off automatically. Having said that there is a continuous current drain albeit small.
The dancing needles effect is a characteristic of the instrument cluster initialising after a low voltage condition. This will occur after the battery has been disconnected or if the voltage drops below a certin threshold when cranking the engine at start up. It is a very common symptom which may indicate that the battery is not able to sustain the current drain it used to and a replacement is usually the cure. leaking diodes in the alternator can also drain the battery. Search the web site, I am sure there is more info there.
Oliver
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scorpi
Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 12
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #5 on: May 14th, 2004, 7:41am » |
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Thanks for the replies guys,
So , do i measure at the + and - of the battery (Volts)?
Or do i have to diconnect the + of the battery and put the multimeter inbetween for Amp. reading?
And last , what's the reading i should see 13,6 V with running engine or higher?
Thanks again guys!
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Snoopy
Administrator
Very old.BAD tempered and missing friends.
Posts: 6278
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #6 on: May 14th, 2004, 7:55am » |
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If you are reading volts then straight across the terminals will give you the reading but the same can be effected from the dashboard diagnostics in the car... To read amps it has to be inline ... the voltage with the engine riunning should be about 13.8 Volts and 11.8/11.9 when not.. with the onboard diagnostics you can see what it drops to as you start the car which is sometimes useful.... for more info look here
http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/instreset.htm
Cheers
Snoopy
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scorpi
Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 12
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #7 on: May 14th, 2004, 9:58am » |
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Thanks , snoopy
Will try the diagnostics and who knows ,i might learn somethings thanks to you guys.(is my first job on the scorp)
Many thanks
Scorpi
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scorpi
Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 12
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #8 on: May 17th, 2004, 9:35am » |
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Hi guys,
Yall had a nice weekend?
I tested my scorp with the diagnostics, like you said.
Volt : about 14,0V
Engine off :voltage drop slowly to 12V (battery) , then stops.
So what's wrong ?
Everything seems o.k.
Could it be water ? (like in rain , never put a hose in my engine bay!)
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Snoopy
Administrator
Very old.BAD tempered and missing friends.
Posts: 6278
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #9 on: May 18th, 2004, 8:19am » |
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Have you tried starting the car with the battery diagnostics on... What does the battery read when its starting from cold.... if it drops BELOW 10.8 volts that is enough to cause the syptoms you have stated.....
Cheers
Snoopy
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scorpi
Newbie
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 12
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #10 on: May 18th, 2004, 11:16am » |
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Thanks for the reply snoopy,
Everything was o.k. , for a few days.
This morning before goining to work the needles went mad again.(morning dew?)
Quikly shutdown the engine and started her up again with battery diagnostics.
Went down from 11.9 (batterypower)to about 10.7V(starting).
I did this in a matter of seconds since i'm waiting for this to happen.
So the battery got no time to charge!
Like i said batterypower 11.9V ,but is this enough or should this be higher?
Could you please tell me what's wrong
Thanks again
scorpi
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Paul B
Senior Member
'98 24V Ultima saloon
Posts: 2442
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Re: STRANGE!!!
« Reply #11 on: May 18th, 2004, 8:42pm » |
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Hmm, I tried this on mine this morning. Turned ignition on & started diagnostics (can't remember voltage now) but when I turned the key further to start it, the displays just went blank and everything reset and the diagnostic mode ended automatically. 
I really must change my alternator soon!
Paul
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